Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe has denied he is gay, but has said that he is in love with someone from another country. So, the revelation that Thorpe was seen frolicking on a Brazilian beach with Brazilian swimmer Daniel Mendes — someone he has lived with in Australia for three years — is just one example of an awesome heterosexual friendship.
Sydney Confidential can reveal that Mendes has been living with Thorpe for the past three years as his housemate. According to Thorpe’s manager David Flaskas, the men were introduced through Thorpe’s former coach Tracey Menzies while Thorpe was training for the 2008 Olympics. They became training buddies before their friendship developed.
The photos of the men were taken at the end of a month-long vacation in Brazil. The pair flew over in late December to celebrate Christmas with the Mendes family after first celebrating with Thorpe’s family in Australia.
It was also disclosed that “that Mendes had accompanied Thorpe to two events in the past 18 months – the 2007 Australia’s Next Top Model finale and the 2008 MTV Awards.” Yep, those are two places one takes a “mate.” Any single woman would give her eye-teeth to get an invite to such events from a guy like Thorpe.
The Defamer, Australian version, had a great snarky summation of what we know:
So in conclusion, I can’t really understand why people are making such a big deal about Ian Thorpe being VERY GOOD FRIENDS with Daniel the Hot Brazilian Swimmer. Maybe the Daily Telegraph is trying to send a message to the youth of today that social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are no substitute for real mateship which sees pals going on holidays together/spending time with each other’s families/sometimes sharing a bed when it gets really cold and there’s not enough blankets in the house? That must be it. In which case, I hope we all find a Daniel the Hot Brazilian Swimmer one day.
I don’t care whether Thorpe ever comes out or really is straight, but his denials and awkward language (he called his love “they” last year, then used “she” in another interview) strain logic. He has retired, has made a great living from his championship swim career, so why is he being coy? If he and Mendes are a couple, just say it already. Diver and fellow Aussie Matthew Mitcham never backed down from discussing his partner, Lachlan Fletcher, and Mitcham is still an active Olympian. Based on these photos, Thorpe is a long way from being in shape to compete again.
Update: Ian Thorpe reiterated again he is not gay.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 11:47 PM
I’m sure they’re just friends. And the frolicking was completely HETERO!
on Jan 28th, 2009 at 3:41 AM
The weight crack at the end seemed a little bitchy Jim. But I loved it.
on Jan 28th, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I think the real shocking story here is the extent to which Thorpe has let himself go.
on Jan 28th, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Damn, that is a solid belly. More boyancy? It isn’t easy shedding tonnage or keeping it off after 30 yrs old. Dude must be depressed and on beer, pizza and ice cream therapy.
on Jan 29th, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Ha! Seems like the Aussie media has finally resumed its “Outing Thorpe Operation (Reloaded)”
The papers are going crazy about these news publishing articles with a hell of a lot of innuendo. Hell, you don’t have to re-re-read them to realize that! They’re blatantly trying to out Thorpey without saying it directly.
I’m not a fan of outing anybody, in no way. If he’s gay, wonderful! If that’s the case, he will choose the right moment to come out…If he’s not, the press needs to get their facts right, just leave him alone and basta.
But I can’t help having a strong feeling that these two are together and Thorpey will come out and admit it one day…maybe this year
They are such a cute couple xxx
on Jan 29th, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Who cares?!
on Jan 30th, 2009 at 7:34 AM
This guy has put on more weight than Jessica Simpson.
on Feb 1st, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Thorpie, just one advice if you are really hurt because of these rumours and innuendos.
replace daniel mendez with a woman.
make her your flatmate, go out with her to mtv parties, visit her parents place for a month.
just like a normal person. that’s it. all your sponsors and all the people who relies on your image as a sporting legend would be safe.
on Dec 1st, 2011 at 1:48 PM
So what if Ian Thorpe is in Love with a Man.
Thorpe has the right to Care,Share and engage in Anal Sex with his boyfriend Daniel Mendes,really the media should allow the lovers to kiss without being pested……..