After overcoming battles in both the pool and his personal life, Olympic legend Ian Thorpe is now dealing with a new and deeply frustrating challenge—an alleged theft at his Sydney home that’s left him out of pocket and seeking answers.
Report Filed at Paddington Police Station
On Thursday afternoon, the five-time Olympic gold medallist walked into the Paddington police station in Sydney’s east to report what he described to his insurers as a potential “insurance job.”
According to New South Wales Police, a 42-year-old man—confirmed to be Thorpe—reported that valuable personal items had gone missing from his home.
So far, police haven’t released many details about what happened, and Thorpe himself hasn’t made any public comments. But a formal investigation is now underway.
What Was Allegedly Taken?
Thorpe’s longtime manager, James Erskine, confirmed the theft on Friday, saying it included personal items such as watches and jewellery.
Fortunately, none of his gold medals were among the stolen goods.
While Erskine admitted he wasn’t sure of the total value, reports estimate the loss to be around $150,000.
“It’s really more of an insurance process at this stage,” he explained, saying that Thorpe was acting on advice from his insurer to file a police report.
No Clarity Yet on How the Theft Happened
There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding how exactly the alleged theft occurred.
Was it a physical break-in? A sophisticated online scam? As radio host Ben Fordham pointed out, even those close to Thorpe don’t seem to know the full story yet.
Fordham revealed on his program that when he contacted Erskine initially, the manager hadn’t even heard about the incident.
Thorpe later clarified that he’d already spoken to the police “about an insurance matter.”
A Rough Financial Year for Thorpe
This alleged theft comes on the heels of another financial blow for Thorpe.
Just months ago, in October 2024, he listed his luxury Sydney townhouse in Woollahra—just a short drive from the Paddington police station—for $3.5 million.
Despite purchasing the property for $2.75 million in 2017 and investing in major renovations, he was forced to lower the asking price after an earlier $3.7 million listing failed to attract buyers.
Letting agent Courtney Wong, who was handling the property, had nothing but praise for the home, calling it the “best one” in the area due to its privacy and high-end design.
This Isn’t Thorpe’s First Brush With Crime
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Thorpe has had personal belongings stolen.
Back in 2005, his Audi TT coupe was broken into in Sydney’s inner-west suburb of Glebe.
Among the items taken was an Omega watch with the Olympic logo—gifted to him at the 2004 Athens Games—which held significant sentimental value.
At the time, Thorpe publicly pleaded for the return of the watch, saying it meant a great deal to him.
Behind the Gold Medals, A Story of Silent Struggles
Outside of his achievements in the pool, Thorpe has faced an enormous amount of pressure and personal turmoil throughout his life.
In a candid admission last year, he revealed how a misinterpreted drug test sent him spiraling into a deep depression—so severe that he contemplated suicide.
The irregular test, which was leaked by a French publication, showed elevated testosterone levels.
Thorpe fought back, obtained medical evidence clearing his name, and sued the outlet.
But the emotional toll was immense.
“I didn’t want to leave the house,” he shared, explaining that the experience triggered one of the darkest periods in his life.
The Weight of Public Expectation
Thorpe’s struggles didn’t begin in adulthood. He’s spoken openly about the overwhelming pressure he felt even as a teenager.
At 14, he doubted whether he deserved a spot in the World Championships. At 15, he questioned if his win was just a fluke.
And by 17, the weight of Australia’s Olympic hopes rested squarely on his shoulders.
“People would come up to me at the supermarket and say, ‘We’ve got tickets to see you win your first gold medal,’” Thorpe recalled. “There was no escaping it.”
A Legacy That Goes Beyond Swimming
Through it all, Ian Thorpe has remained a symbol of resilience, vulnerability, and greatness.
His recent troubles—whether financial, emotional, or criminal—are a reminder that even sporting icons are human.
And while his achievements in the pool are etched in history, it’s his openness about his personal challenges that continues to inspire millions.