Thorpedo reveals his suicidal phase

Australia's five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe has spent much of his life battling depression, and even considered suicide, excerpts from a new book by the swimmer revealed.

The swimmer also uses the book to address persistent rumours about his sexuality, saying: “For the record, I am not gay”, adding that he would one day like to have a family. In the soon-to-be-released book “This is Me: The Autobiography” he says, “I even considered specific places or a specific way to kill myself — but then always baulked, realising how ridiculous it was. Could I have killed myself?" the 30-year-old wrote in an excerpt in the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Looking back, I don't think so but there were days in my life that even now make me shudder.”