As a child, Ian Thorpe grew tired of watching his older sister, Christina, swim in competitions. He decided to take up swimming so that he would not be bored. But Ian, who would later become one of the greatest swimmers the world has ever known, had to first over come an allergy to chlorine. By the age of 11, Ian had outgrown the allergy. At 14, Ian made history by becoming the youngest male to ever make the Australian Mens' swim team. At 17, Ian was selected for the Australian Mens' Olympic swim team. He became the hero of the Games for Australia, and was even asked to carry the flag during the Closing Ceremony. Ian has since hosted his own TV show, Undercover Angels (2002) and designed a line of jewelry with Autore South Sea Pearls. He is also the co-founder of "Ian Thorpe's Foundation For Youth Trust," a charity that benefits the treatment of children with life-threatening illnesses. At the present time, Ian says that his plans are to swim until the 2008 Olympics, but he adds that he will stop swimming when he ceases to enjoy it.