Ian Thorpe
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The Australian ‘Thorpedo’, Thorpe was a swimming sensation at the turn of the century. Playing the role of hometown hero at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Thorpe walked away with three gold medals — including the 400 m freestyle, and the 4×100 and 4×200 free relays. The conquering hero marched on to Athens in 2004, once again seizing the gold in the 400 free, as well as adding gold in the 200 m free.
Along the way, Thorpe started a charity called Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth — a fundraising organization for research into childhood illnesses. The former swimmer came out as gay in a 2014 televised interview and remained with his partner, Ryan Channing, until June 2019. Through his charitable works and swimming prowess, Thorpe advanced to Member of the Order of Australia in 2019.
