Sydney: Swimming giant Ian Thorpe received support and glowing praise yesterday for revealing he is gay in a move advocates believe will help remove the stigma of homophobia in sport.


Ian Thorpe. Pic/Getty Images

The five-time Olympic champion made the admission in an interview aired by Australia's Channel Ten on Sunday.

Thorpe's bravery in openly discussing his sexuality was a major talking point with fellow sportspeople, celebrities and commentators speaking up for the global icon.