GenQ

Ian Thorpe has discussed how the whole gay thing got started, "I became a gay icon when I was 15," he said, "which was a little bit weird. When I was 17, everyone had started that speculation about me, though I didn't hear about most of it.

"I don't have a problem with being a gay icon," he continued. "It's not a big deal to me. But I think the gay speculation, along with when I was accused of taking drugs in 2000, was an attempt to pull me down from the top. Some people think it's an insult to say, ‘Oh I think he's gay', but I don't take it that way. I'm not gay. I'm lucky that within myself I don't care enough to get worried or upset over it."

Thorpe forgot to mention that attended every swimming event at the 2002 Gay Games and was spotted frequenting the "gay mile" Oxford Street during the event. That probably added to the speculation.

Thorpe's pearl necklace designs, care of his appearance and fetish for designer fashion lead to rumours about his sexuality right from the beginning of his career. But that's nothing, says Thorpe. "Guys are just guys, girls are just girls, all of us are different. Some guys are more in touch with their feminine side, interested in design and quirky things, some are blokey blokes."

Good Weekend journalist Janet Hawley then asked Thorpe: if he were gay, would he be comfortable coming out and saying so? "I have no idea, because I'm not gay," he responded.

"I don't think anyone should have to be asked that question. You don't have to come out and declare you're straight. It shouldn't be a big deal today, but people still get hang-ups over it." see related article

One swimmer who is proud to be gay is 20 year old rising star, Chris Coley. The US swimmer just recently became All-American champion. For the third consecutive year, Chris Coley (Austin, Texas) has earned All-American status, finishing fifth in the men's 100 butterfly final to lead Seattle University in the second day of the 2007 Division II Swimming and Diving Championships at the Burt Flickinger Athletic Center.

Chris Coley had the most successful freshman season in Seattle University history to open his collegiate career...placed higher than anyone even has at the NCAA Division II Championships when he earned All-America honors in the 100 butterfly in 49.72...also earned honorable mention All-America honors in five events, including the 200 butterfly (1:52.64), 400 freestyle relay (3:07.66), 400 medley relay (3:32.41), 200 free relay (1:25.21), and 200 medley relay (1:35.56)...holds school records in both the 100 and 200 butterfly.

Chris Coley is the kind of quiet achiever and role model that the gay community needs. Unlike other gay swimmers, he has had the courage to be proud of who he is. He not only is a swimming champion but spends his free time working with disabled children, is a double major in psychology and philosophy at Seattle and is currently spending 5 months in India working with the poor. There's no pearl necklaces or designer underwear. That coupled with his model looks almost guarentees this young man a very bright future, who needs Ian Thorpe?

Tags: gay, ian thorpe, swimmers