03/16/2006
An Audience with the Queen
Despite his pulling out of the Commonwealth Games, Ian Thorpe was well enough to greet the Queen on her arrival in Melbourne. She told the Thorpedo: "At least you're giving someone else a chance."
Posted 12:00 PM EST by Andy Towle in Sports | Permalink
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It's odd, but on my screen, it looks like Michael Dukakis and Ted Kennedy behind Her Majesty.
Posted by: JT | Mar 16, 2006 12:39:17 PM
Nice of the Queen to say hi to another . . . ?
But, OMG, what IS Thorpe wearing?!!!
It looks like a clear confirmation of all the rumors and is certainly original!
I wonder if HRM received an autograph? . . . tho she probably asked instead for the name of his tailor, either to have him beheaded, or to have him add some pazaaz to her own rather tired wardrobe!!!
Posted by: Erikzed | Mar 16, 2006 12:49:34 PM
Yeah, it looks like he's wearing pajama bottoms! Is he THAT sick?
Posted by: Joe | Mar 16, 2006 1:10:04 PM
Thorpe gave an interview on ESPN yesterday, or at least the clip was run yesterday, and he looks deathly ill. The sports center reporter was speculating that he could possibly have cancer, or (under a whispered breath) AIDS. The anchor jumped in and said, "you really shouldn't be commening on things you're not sure of", but too late, the thought is already out there.
Posted by: wayne | Mar 16, 2006 2:00:25 PM
The beard is not flattering. His clothes are gawd-awful. Oh, Ian.
Posted by: Bill | Mar 16, 2006 2:12:22 PM
But.... after all the comments and thoughts about his current appearance... you would still roger him senceless, wouldnt you?
I would... though if we got serious, the black nail varnish would have to go!!
Seriously though... Get well Ian... Your a star,an amazing athelete and an icon, and we miss you!
Posted by: Philip | Mar 16, 2006 2:23:32 PM
A doctor explains why he thinks Ian Thorpe has HIV:
http://snipurl.com/nozj
Posted by: Bill | Mar 16, 2006 2:28:29 PM
This could be complete baloney but I'll point it out and you folks decide:
Posted here:
http://thinpotations.blogspot.com/
This isn't a news source, it's some Australian guy's blog.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Ian Thorpe's true condition revealed
Sources close to the swimming star confirmed today that he is HIV-positive. Ian's long time boyfriend spoke to Thin Potations on the condition of anonymity:
"There seems no point denying it now. Ian was diagnosed in 2003, though he believes he was infected some time before that. The last three years have been extraordinarily difficult, and we've only managed to get through them thanks to the support of Ian's mum. His dad, though, refuses to speak to him.
"At first I was angry that he was trawling known Sydney beats including The Wall in Darlinghurst, but my own insecurity prevented me from confronting him over this risky behavior. Ian always took the attitude that STD's were something that happened to other people. But I guess it's a lesson hard learnt.
"Anyone who saw him on the TV yesterday would have realised Ian's at the point where he won't be able to continue competitive swimming. How he got through the [Commonwealth Games] trials I'll never know."
Thin Potations can reveal that Ian has been taking comfort in the company of broadcaster Alan Jones since learning of his condition. "Ian says Alan's been a wonderful friend", another close friend said, "and I guess he can coach Ian through dealing with a public homosexual scandal. But, still, I am suspicious of his motives."
As rumours swirled, one of Ian's former lovers, Sydney hairdresser Ryan Craven, 24, came forward to shed some light on Ian's past. "Ian was always a total bottom when I was with him, which suited me just fine", he said, "but we broke up when I discovered that he was visiting Marks Park at least twice a week for the purpose of soliciting sex with other men. Much older men. I confronted him about it but he was like 'Yeah so I'm a famous swimmer so piss off'. It broke my heart."
With Ian already looking so thin and pale, it is hard to say how much longer his management can deny the real facts. One speculates that he will announce his retirement not long after the Commonwealth Games citing a diminished love of swimming, then retire to Cambodia to pursue charitable interests amongst the children of that country.
Posted by: Bill | Mar 16, 2006 2:35:22 PM
disheartening to see ian thorpe looking so terribly ill.
i hope somehow he's able to bounce back to good health.
god bless him.
Posted by: A.J. | Mar 16, 2006 3:23:30 PM
check out the photos at ian-thorpe.org. the one shown here is the worst, a sort of concentration camp type look. the other shoots with the queen show a different ian.
Posted by: titus | Mar 16, 2006 4:40:40 PM
She may be dour, and she may be horsey, and she may appear dowdy, but HM the Queen - our sovereign monarch - has served Canada and the rest of the Commonwealth well for 53 years without the scandal visited upon her late uncle and sister and all of her children aside from HRH, Wessex.
How many gays and lesbians would like to change George W. Bush for Queen Elizabeth or Queen Beatrix or King Albert II. All gave royal assent to bills that gave us full free and equal marriage and other rights.
Posted by: Raymond | Mar 16, 2006 4:43:23 PM
OOPS - King Juan Carlos also gave royal assent. That is UK and Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium in the past post.
Posted by: Raymond | Mar 16, 2006 4:44:39 PM
Glad to see that the other post was first edited then removed. Good decision.
Posted by: jon luddite | Mar 16, 2006 5:03:13 PM
I'm with Jon on that other post. Good decision.
Posted by: Chuck | Mar 16, 2006 5:42:20 PM
Get well Ian. We love you.
Posted by: hun | Mar 17, 2006 5:41:26 AM
I don't know if this link will work, but if you go to BBC.co.uk, click on the Asia/Pacific section on the left and then to a search for Ian Thorpe in Sports, this is a photo you will find of Mr. Thorpe sitting with Sec. of State Rice yesterday afternoon.
It is safe to say that the photo above is less-than flattering, but this one shows a decidedly fitter-looking Thorpe.
The Australian news coverage, as well as BBC, appears quite a bit less prurient than some of the stuff we're seeing in the US.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/commonwealth_games/4815938.stm
Posted by: JT | Mar 17, 2006 9:33:36 AM
Who cares what he has - let the bot be. If it is HIV, let the boy be, why gossip about it - no one has anything better to do?
Posted by: republic | Mar 17, 2006 12:38:28 PM
Well, Republic, don't you have anything better to do than read this item about him on Towleroad and (curiosity maybe?) read all the comments here about him too?
Posted by: Bill | Mar 17, 2006 3:54:53 PM
It never ceases to amaze me how someone can chide others for spending their time on blogs and commenting on topics when they're doing the same damned thing.
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Mar 19, 2006 7:42:07 PM
I think Ian might want to get some advice from Greg Louganis
Posted by: KK | Mar 19, 2006 8:18:07 PM
Why? Is Thorpe planning on staying in the closet until his career is over and outed due to his forced HIV revelation and then explaining his silence on the matter by saying, "I never hid being gay, it's just that one ever asked."
Posted by: Chad Hanging | Mar 19, 2006 10:40:43 PM