Olympian Ian Thorpe ‘really happy’ in relationship with model Ryan Channing
Ian Thorpe has opened up about his relationship with model Ryan Channing, saying “things are good”.
Thorpe came out in an interview with Michael Parkinson, publicly revealing his sexual orientation for the first time in 2014.
He previously said he stayed in the closet because he feared it would effect his career.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist revealed earlier this year that he was dating Channing, in his first public relationship since coming out.
He told the Daily Mail: “Things are good… I’m really happy and have been for a while.”
Last year the swimming champion said dating had been “a nightmare” since he came out as gay.
He said: “It’s an absolute mess out there! I’m like, ‘Where are all the normal people?’ I’ve never really dated, so I’ve come in being almost completely blindsided by this.”
Thorpe earlier this month said he hopes his decision to come out as gay has helped tackle homophobia in sport.
Earlier this year, the former Olympic swimmer spoke about the “responsibility” he now feels towards others struggling to come to terms with their sexuality.
“There’s an opportunity and a good responsibility I feel for young people who may be struggling with sexuality and to make it a more equitable place for us all,” he said.
Thorpe also spoke about the pressures of being a role model for the LGBT community, now that he has been honest about his sexuality.
“In some ways, there is an expectation that you will be the voice of this group, which none of us can do,” he said.
“It’s made up of many voices, and I’m very new to this. I don’t have the experience.”
