Thorpe comfortable saying he is gay

Ian Thorpe reportedly reveals he is gay

I'm not straight.

And so Ian Thorpe came out to Australia on prime time TV - telling us something we thought we knew anyway, even if his own mother hadn't before he told her.

But the whole point of the Sunday night interview with the iconic Michael Parkinson wasn't so much just for Thorpey to say a simple yes or no.

It was for one of the nation's greatest ever athletes, most successful Olympic gold medallist and most gossiped-over public figures to tell, on his terms, why now, why so long, and why it matters.

That first hurdle cleared - or first lap done - Thorpe was more relaxed and finding his stride.

I'm comfortable saying I'm a gay man and I don't want young people to feel the same way that I did, he told his interviewer, Parkinson.

You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay.

Earlier this year, Thorpe was admitted to a rehab facility to allow him to receive treatment for his depression.

He broke 22 world records in his whirlwind swimming career, winning five gold, three silver and one bronze medal at the Olympic Games.

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Thorpe comfortable saying he is gay