Sydney, Oct 30: Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe launches his own underwear line. Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe appeared in his underwear for photographers and the public in Sydney on Wednesday (October 29).

Posing alongside models, the fashion conscious 21-year-old was launching his own men`s underwear brand. Thorpe said he was involved in the production of the underwear, even designing the distinctive logo.

Thorpe was the youngest male to qualify for an Australian swim team at the age of 14. He won the Olympic 400 metres title and two relay golds as a 17-year-old at Sydney before winning a record six titles at the 2001 Fukouka world championships.

Speaking at the underwear launch on Wednesday, he said: "Well, this is something that I have kind of had on my mind for some time now, since probably 2000. You know this is the time that I felt it was right that I was ready for it and that I have found the right people to actually work with to produce this range of underwear. It is more of a fashion range than being a sports range."

Bureau Report