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Ian Thorpe is an Australian Olympic swimmer who dominated freestyle events, a five-time Olympic gold medalist, and a celebrated public figure.
Anthogenol, a brand of Australian vitamin distributors Phytologic, partnered with Australian swimming legend Ian Thorpe, who became its official brand ambassador. MGI, in collaboration with Anthogenol, leveraged 70 years of antioxidant research to introduce the product.
Adidas was Ian Thorpe's main sponsor before his retirement. He had a long-term partnership with the brand that provided a steady income stream. The partnership included Thorpe racing in Adidas's new bodysuit, a move that prompted controversy regarding national team sponsorship with Speedo.
Ian Thorpe partnered with spa brand Vortex Spas to launch a new range of spas and swim spas in mid-2018.
ReachOut and Ian Thorpe collaborated to call on Australians to participate in 'Laps for Life' in March to raise funds and awareness for youth mental health.
Ian Thorpe has fronted campaigns for Optus, among other partners, providing expert commentary and promoting brand initiatives.
Ian Thorpe has fronted campaigns for The Star, a casino and entertainment complex in Sydney, as one of his various partners.
Ian Thorpe has fronted campaigns for Specsavers as one of his existing partners.
Ian Thorpe endorsed luxury watch brand OMEGA, contributing to his income through various notable endorsements.
Thorpe was sponsored by Australian corporate giant Qantas.
Thorpe was sponsored by Australian corporate giant Telstra.
Thorpe was sponsored by the Seven Network, and also hosted the reality television show 'Undercover Angels' on the network.
TV Asahi identified Thorpe as the marketing drawcard for the 2001 World Championships in Fukuoka, featuring him in promotional television events in Japan.
In 2002, Thorpe became an ambassador for the Australian Tourism Commission in Japan, due to his immense popularity, leading a high-profile campaign that resulted in an upturn in Japanese tourism to Australia.
In 2005, Yakult released a 'Thorpedo' energy drink in Japan, featuring Thorpe's picture on the bottle. This was part of an equity deal with So Natural food group, giving Thorpe a 5% stake worth A$1.1 million at the time, for the use of his name and image on products in East and Southeast Asia.
Ian Thorpe acts as an ambassador for the fashion brand Armani, aligning with his interests in fashion and culture, often making visits to New York City for engagements.
Born on October 13, 1982, in Sydney, Australia, Ian James Thorpe quickly rose to prominence in the world of swimming. His aquatic journey began at five years old, initially hampered by a chlorine allergy which he overcame to become a formidable athlete. Thorpe’s father, Ken, a talented cricketer, ensured that Ian’s participation in sports always prioritized enjoyment, a principle that guided his early career. By 1994, he captained New South Wales for the Australian Primary Schools Championships, and by 1995, under the tutelage of coach Doug Frost, he began to make significant strides in national age championships. His rapid development saw him become the youngest male ever to represent Australia in 1997, at just 14 years and 5 months, surpassing a record held by John Konrads. This early exposure to elite competition set the stage for a career marked by exceptional performance and numerous records.
Thorpe’s early international career was marked by a series of significant achievements. At the 1998 World Aquatics Championships in Perth, at 15 years and 3 months, he became the youngest-ever individual male World Champion in the 400m freestyle, battling against Grant Hackett in a memorable race. That same year, at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, he secured four gold medals, breaking a world record in the 4x200m freestyle relay. This period saw him receive widespread recognition, including being named ‘Swimming World’ Swimmer of the Year. The turn of the millennium brought the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics, where Thorpe captured three gold and two silver medals, exceeding national expectations by breaking world records in the 400m freestyle and 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays. He continued his extraordinary run at the 2001 World Aquatics Championships, becoming the first person to win six gold medals at a single World Championship and simultaneously holding world records in the 200m, 400m, and 800m freestyle events. His wins in the 200m and 400m, and a bronze in the 100m freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics, made him the only male to medal in all three distances.
After a period of intense competition, Thorpe retired from active swimming in 2006, citing waning motivation, though he made a brief comeback attempt in 2011 for the London 2012 Olympics, ultimately not qualifying. Beyond the pool, Thorpe has engaged in various post-swimming endeavors, including hosting television documentaries like “Bullied” for ABC Television in 2017, and participating in “Celebrity MasterChef Australia.” He also published two cookbooks, “Cook For Your Life” (2011) and “Eat Well Now” (2016). In 2014, he publicly came out as gay, becoming an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, notably campaigning for the ‘yes’ vote in Australia’s Marriage Law Postal Survey. Thorpe has also been a philanthropist, establishing ‘Ian Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth’ in 2000 to support children’s health and Indigenous communities. His contributions to sport and society have been widely recognized through numerous honors, including being named Young Australian of the Year in 2000 and advanced to Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019.
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