Former Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe has revealed that he is gay after years of questions about his sexuality.

The 31-year-old confirmed his orientation to British talkshow host Michael Parkinson in an interview with Channel 10, which will be broadcast in Australia tomorrow.

It was revealed earlier this week that Thorpe had been asked about his sexuality by Parkinson and today, Australia's Sunday Telegraph has reported his coming out.

Now retired from professional swimming, Thorpe, known as 'Thorpedo', is a five-time Olympic gold medallist, winning three at his home Sydney 2000 Games and two at Athens four years later.