It hurts that people don't believe me, says Ian Thorpe

Sydney, August 12 (ANI): Ian Thorpe, who has won millions of fans for his role as an Olympic commentator, has revealed that it is hurtful when people think that he is being dishonest about his sexuality.

The night before the interview, Thorpe's agent had warned that "The one thing you can't ask him about is his sexuality."

Nothing can stop people on the internet speculating about his svelte looks, cultured interests and friendships and pronouncing the swimmer as gay.

"I tick all the boxes," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him as saying.

"There is no way I can answer this. It really has just got to the stage when I say 'whatever'. It's not a big deal for me. It doesn't impact on my life what people think.

"What I don't like about it is that people think I'm being dishonest. That's what's so hurtful in all of this. I don't live my life as an open book, but what I do say, I don't retract. That is me," he said.

One thing he does tackle is the embarrassing inappropriateness of discovering he was a gay icon at the age of 15, and having to handle the difficulties of fame. (ANI)

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