Ian Thorpe Talks Romance with Paras Cladakis in Milan After Ryan Channing's Passing

Ian Thorpe is currently enjoying some downtime in Italy while also getting to know a Sydney socialite.

The Aussie swimmer, 42, who was in the headlines in June after $150,000 of goods were taken from his home in an alleged theft, was photographed with Paras Cladakis while taking in the sights in Milan.

In the pictures posted by Paras, he and the five-time Olympic gold medallist could be seen posing at the Piazza Del Duomo.

Ian wore a big grin alongside an equally smiley Paras, who is good pals with beauty entrepreneur and Eastern Suburbs elite Linda Rogan.

Now, representatives for Ian have said that the pair are just friends, while Paras’ people allege that he is fond of the star as well as the spotlight that might come with their hanging out, according to news.com.au.

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Ian Thorpe (pictured) is currently enjoying some downtime in Italy while also getting to know a Sydney socialite

The Aussie swimmer (right) was seen with Paras Cladakis (left) while in Milan

During his travels through Italy, Ian also hung out with Italian high-jumper Gianmarco Tamberi.

Taking to Instagram last week, Ian posted an image of him and the sports star in Venice along with a caption written in Italian.

‘It was a pleasure to see and meet @gianmarcotamberi during the @fairplaymenarini in #venice and #italy,’ the translated caption read.

‘My favourite Italian high jumper! He has the best reactions to winning and sharing gold with @mutaz.barshim at the Olympics, look him up online!

‘That’s how every Olympic gold medallist feels when they win. What I love most is the mutual respect, friendship, and recognition of what each competitor went through to have the chance to experience this moment at the Olympics. One of my favourite moments from the @tokyo2020 Olympics.’

In 2022, Thorpe’s former long-term boyfriend Ryan Channing has suddenly died at the age of 32 in Bali.

While he was a successful model, lawyer, and skincare brand creator, Channing made headlines due to his relationship with the Olympic swimmer after the pair dated from 2015 to 2019.

While the couple were never engaged, at one stage in their romance they actively considered starting a family through a surrogate in the United States.

In the photos posted by Paras, he and the five-time Olympic gold medallist could be seen posing at the Piazza Del Duomo

During his travels through Italy, Ian (left) also hung out with Italian high-jumper Gianmarco Tamberi (right)

When discussing their plans to have a baby in early 2019, Channing told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Becoming parents is something that Ian and myself would love to make happen.

‘Unfortunately the laws in Australia are difficult for same sex males in regards to surrogacy – California state law has really progressed in this space which makes it the best option legally.

‘Something I would love to see progress further in Australia so same sex couples don’t have to travel abroad to achieve their family goals.’

Just months after the pair shared their baby plans, they officially ended their romance in June 2019.

Channing confirmed the news to The Daily Telegraph at the time, but said that the breakup was a friendly one.

The model told the publication: ‘Yes, the rumours are true, we have parted ways. It has all been very amicable. We have stayed friends.’

There were later rumours that Ryan and Ian had reconciled, but Ryan told Daily Mail Australia that he was no longer in a relationship.

‘Ian and I have been separated for over a year now but remain close friends and [in] the same circle of friends. We still share our puppy Kaia. Everything is going great!’ he said.

In 2022, Thorpe’s former long-term boyfriend Ryan Channing has suddenly died at the age of 32 in Bali. They had split in 2019. Pictured in October 2018