latest celebrity holiday gossip
Thorpe still swimming, but more relaxed on his holidays
Legendary former swimmer Ian Thorpe has been spotted relaxing on his holidays in Sydney's Dolans Bay looking very much like he's enjoying his time away from competitive sport.
Thorpe, a five-time Olympic gold medallist, was snapped on the beach casually loafing around in a pair of swimming shorts.
The fact that he appears to have swapped Speedos for swimming shorts in the years since his retirement was not the only thing that caught the eye, though - the other was the size of his waistline.
He might still have the remains of a six pack, but the holiday snaps show he has clearly accumulated mass around the waist and shoulder areas.
This is perhaps understandable given he has turned his back on competitive sport in order to study psychology and linguistics at Macquarie University.
Currently in the midst of a summer holidays vacation, the 'Thorpedo' will return to his books next week.
He retired at the end of 2006 following a glittering career and admitted that part of the decision to do so was based on a lack of motivation.
Success came early on, with five Olympic medals secured at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 before he had even reached 20.
Six years later, and Thorpe admitted at the press conference called to announce his retirement that swimming excellence failed to provide the buzz it once did.
"I've had a great career. It isn't the best time to be walking away from the sport but it's my time," he said.
"It's a decision that has been difficult. I realise that there's things in my life that are more important for me.
"I've reached all the dizzying heights of this sport. I've had a tremendous amount of success and I've also had setbacks.
"None of my goals included breaking any more world records. I knew how to do it, but it wasn't as inspiring as it should have been."
Dolans Bay is located in the south of Sydney and can be reached by Port Hacking Road or Saunders Bay Road.
According to the Book of Sydney Suburbs, it is named after local landowner Dominick Dolan, who acquired the land from Mary and Andrew Webster in 1863.
The main draw for people staying in Sydney hotels close to Dolans Bay will be the marina, with many boats choosing to moor there to shelter from the southerly wind.
Thorpe, a five-time Olympic gold medallist, was snapped on the beach casually loafing around in a pair of swimming shorts.
The fact that he appears to have swapped Speedos for swimming shorts in the years since his retirement was not the only thing that caught the eye, though - the other was the size of his waistline.
He might still have the remains of a six pack, but the holiday snaps show he has clearly accumulated mass around the waist and shoulder areas.
This is perhaps understandable given he has turned his back on competitive sport in order to study psychology and linguistics at Macquarie University.
Currently in the midst of a summer holidays vacation, the 'Thorpedo' will return to his books next week.
He retired at the end of 2006 following a glittering career and admitted that part of the decision to do so was based on a lack of motivation.
Success came early on, with five Olympic medals secured at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 before he had even reached 20.
Six years later, and Thorpe admitted at the press conference called to announce his retirement that swimming excellence failed to provide the buzz it once did.
"I've had a great career. It isn't the best time to be walking away from the sport but it's my time," he said.
"It's a decision that has been difficult. I realise that there's things in my life that are more important for me.
"I've reached all the dizzying heights of this sport. I've had a tremendous amount of success and I've also had setbacks.
"None of my goals included breaking any more world records. I knew how to do it, but it wasn't as inspiring as it should have been."
Dolans Bay is located in the south of Sydney and can be reached by Port Hacking Road or Saunders Bay Road.
According to the Book of Sydney Suburbs, it is named after local landowner Dominick Dolan, who acquired the land from Mary and Andrew Webster in 1863.
The main draw for people staying in Sydney hotels close to Dolans Bay will be the marina, with many boats choosing to moor there to shelter from the southerly wind.