Ian Thorpe on being bullied as he hosts new ABC factual series The Bullying Project

IAN Thorpe will draw on his own painful bullying — targeted for his sporting success and sexuality —- as host of a new TV series, The Bully Project.

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EXCLUSIVE

WHEN Australia first met Ian Thorpe, it was as a painfully shy 14-year-old whose record-breaking talents in the pool would propel him to the top of the sporting world.

But with the gold medals and public acclaim came a personal struggle with sudden fame and the overwhelming interest which has never let up about his sexuality and private life.

Now 33, the openly gay former Olympic and world champion swim star is standing tall to use his tumultuous times in the spotlight as the empathetic host of a new ABC factual series, The Bully Project.

The aspiring TV presenter and long-time advocate for youth and indigenous issues won out in an audition process to front the three-part production, which will spearhead a new programming initiative on bullying by the taxpayer-funded broadcaster later this year.

Based on a controversial Dutch show, Project P — which armed bullied children with concealed cameras to secretly film their harrowing experiences at school — this local version will follow at least six subjects to be cast from teenagers (aged 14+) in Queensland where the strict surveillance laws of other states don’t apply.

The footage aims to expose the physical violence, verbal abuse and other forms of psychological distress endured by victims; with the film then shown to their families and peer group who, in most cases, feel helpless or too at risk to intervene.

Ian Thorpe said he was targeted when he returned to school as a world champion swimmer. Picture: Richard Dobson

Thorpe said the program’s purpose was not to shame bullies or exploit the explosive vision for entertainment, but provoke a desperately needed debate about the widespread issue and arm young people with better tools to overcome it.

“I thought it was important we started not only the conversation about this in Australia but also got to a point where we’re coming up with the resolutions as well ... a lot needs to be done,” Thorpe told News Corp Australia.

His understanding of the issue comes from being targeted by a number of teachers at his high school, when he returned to Year 10 classes in Sydney’s southwest as a world champion.

“Instantly I stuck out and it’s one of those things that all you want in your teenage years is to fit in. People would question why I was at school. They were either great about it, or I had some experiences with teachers who really had this issue around the fact I’d been successful,” he said.

“That was the minority, I must insist ... but it only takes one and it can really affect you.”

So distressed by the bullying, Thorpe said, it added to his decision to home school in the two years leading up to his triumph at the Sydney Olympics.

Ian Thorpe of Australia in his East Hills Boys High School uniform at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre in 1987 after winning five Olympic Games gold medals. Picture: Getty Images

The relentless probing about whether he was gay also plagued him during his swim career, only feeling comfortable to come out in a TV tell-all with British broadcaster Michael Parkinson after his retirement from the sport two years ago.

“I feel as though people were trying to force me out of the closet when I didn’t even know myself. I really didn’t, or at least I wasn’t sure. I felt like if I’d been given a little bit more time, perhaps I would have comfortably been able to do it ... but I was just trying to fit in.”

First asked about his sexuality when he was 15, he said: “I was so young, I was trying to be everything for everyone and not having the confidence to just be myself.

Ian Thorpe revealed to Sir Michael Parkinson that he was gay in July 2014. Picture: Supplied / Network Ten

Confirming he’s happily in a new relationship with Perth swimwear model Ryan Channing, 24, Thorpe said he was committed to protecting the fledgling romance.

“We’re both great and enjoying getting to know each other ... but I’m trying to limit the exposure somewhat as well because we’d both like to enjoy this time together. It adds pressure to the situation and it is very new. I don’t want to put any more expectation around it but I am becoming more comfortable in my sexuality as well. Most people are just really happy for me and I’m really happy about it as well.”

Ian Thorpe says happily in a relationship with swimwear model Ryan Channing. Picture: Supplied

* For those Queensland teenager, aged 14+ or their parents interested in participating in The Bully Project, go to: www.stopbullying.tv

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