Ian Thorpe Research Paper

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IAN THORPE Also known as ‘The Thorpedo’ 1. Identify four significant factors in the athlete’s life that have lead to their success. * He has won five Olympic gold medals, the most won by any Australian. * Ian became the first person to win six gold medals in one World Championship. * He has won eleven World Championship gold medals, the second-highest number of any swimmer, worldwide. * Ian was the first person to have been named Swimming World Swimmer of the Year four times and was the Australian swimmer of the year from 1999 to 2003. 2. As a spectator, why do you admire this athlete? I admire Ian Thorpe because of his achievements. Ian Thorpe is very attractive! He gives Australian a great sporting name, He speaks well,…show more content…
What, if any, impact has your athlete had on the community? Ian Thorpe had a vision of embracing humanity by nurturing children. He runs the organisation Fountain for Youth. This is an organisation to raise awareness and funds and to bring positive changes to the Indigenous children of Australia. Ian Thorpe also strongly supports the ‘Close the Gap’ campaign for indigenous health and equality. 4. Have there been any occasions where the athlete has been a subject to ‘Tall Poppy’ syndrome? The tall-poppy syndrome has meant different things to different Australians. To Ian Thorpe, the tall poppy syndrome meant not to follow the understanding of Australian masculinity, which led to many rumours of being gay. 5. Is your athlete participating in a high profile sport where a range of business sponsorship exists? Ian Thorpe has recently been sponsored by Virgin Blue and IMG. Before the world wide ban on full length swim suits on January 1, 2010, Ian Thorpe’s swimming costume was sponsored by Adidas. 6. Do you feel sponsorship is an important part of an athlete’s…show more content…
Julia Gillard Is a major supporter of the Bulldogs football team. She also is a big fan of AFL, She has publicly said “I am proud to say that AFL will never be ‘just a game’ in our nation”, 2. Name two situations where sports administrators may make decisions, which are politically motivated. a. In 1980, the Government wanted to boycott the Moscow Olympics to protest against the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. However, athletes went anyway but marched under the Olympic flag as independents. b. In 2005, the Howard Government cancelled the cricket Zimbabwe tour, The reason because put forward as the Zimbabwe Government might use the visit as a propaganda exercise. Cultures: 1. Identify two athletes that represent Australia that were born overseas. a. Tatiana Grigorieva is a former national-level 400m hurdler in Russia, she took up pole vaulting after she migrated to Australia. b. Dale Begg-Smith is the top-ranked moguls’ skier in the world. He is a 25 year-old Canadian, who skies for Australia. 2. Name three sports where Australia’s performances have significantly improved with the addition of immigrating athletes. a. Rugby League - Akuila Uate – Australia National Rugby League Team b. Snow Skiing – Dale Begg-Smith – Mougul Skier c. Soccer - Archie Thompson -
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