A photograph of Ian Thorpe in a wheelchair sparked concern for the Olympic legend after he suffered a ‘serious and painful’ injury while filming for a reality TV show.
However, the swimmer, 41, put those worries to rest on Saturday when he was seen at Sydney International Airport, walking unaided and handling his own luggage.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist checked in for his flight without any assistance.
Dressed casually for the flight, Thorpe chose a plain navy T-shirt paired with matching pants.
He completed his relaxed look with black and white sneakers and a set of glasses.
A photograph of Ian Thorpe, 41, (pictured) in a wheelchair sparked concern for the Olympic legend after he suffered a ‘serious and painful’ injury while filming for a reality TV show
According to 7News, Thorpe suffered a ‘serious and painful’ injury while shooting a reality TV show, resulting him needing to use a wheelchair to get in and out of the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, where he is doing broadcast work for the Paris trials.
‘We’re told Ian Thorpe is completely OK, but apparently the injury was a serious and painful one,’ Seven’s Chris Reason said.
Thorpe is believed to have sustained the injury while filming Celebrity Amazing Race, where he teamed up with childhood friend Christian Miranda.
However, the swimmer put those worries to rest on Saturday when he was seen at Sydney International Airport, walking unaided and handling his own luggage
The five-time Olympic gold medallist checked in for his flight without any assistance
Dressed casually for the flight, Thorpe chose a plain navy T-shirt paired with matching pants
The swimming legend has been a leading voice for gay rights in sport, having come out as gay in 2014.
He kept his sexuality hidden during his professional career as he did not want any ‘distractions’ from competition.
‘I had to swim the Olympics and had to win. I did not want anything to be a distraction for me. I don’t want people talking about this,’ he said earlier this year.
‘So every time it is alluded you may be gay, you’re thinking of it as a negative thing and as a young person you make it bigger than it needs to be. So I answered no.’
He completed his relaxed look with black and white sneakers and a set of glasses
According to 7News, Thorpe suffered a ‘serious and painful’ injury while shooting a reality TV show, resulting him needing to use a wheelchair to get in and out of the Brisbane Aquatic Centre, where he is doing broadcast work for the Paris trials
‘We’re told Ian Thorpe is completely OK, but apparently the injury was a serious and painful one,’ Seven’s Chris Reason said
Thorpe said he regretted concealing his sexuality for so long because it made the process of coming out feel much more confronting.
‘I’m comfortable saying I’m a gay man. And I don’t want people to feel the same way I did. You can grow up, you can be comfortable and you can be gay.’
The five-time Olympic gold medalist came out as gay during an interview with respected English television presenter Sir Michael Parkinson in July 2014.
The athlete later revealed during an episode of This Is Your Life in 2022 that he decided to speak out about his sexuality because he was finally ‘comfortable’.
Thorpe is believed to have sustained the injury while filming Celebrity Amazing Race
He teamed up with childhood friend Christian Miranda on the program
