Champion swimmer Ian Thorpe has delivered an emotional speech after the live broadcast of the same sex marriage ‘yes’ vote.
The former Olympian addressed a large crowd of marriage equality in Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park shortly after the news of the result broke.
Thorpe, 35, was heavily involved in the ‘yes’ campaign along with his law student boyfriend Ryan Channing.
Champion swimmer Ian Thorpe (pictured) has delivered an emotional speech after the live broadcast of the same sex marriage ‘yes’ vote
The former Olympian (pictured, right, with Ryan Channing) addressed a large crowd of marriage equality in Sydney’s Prince Alfred Park shortly after the news of the result broke
Thorpe later took to Twitter to say: ‘Thank you, Australia #yes’ after the result was announced
‘Today of all days I am proud to be and to call myself an Australian,’ Thorpe told the crowd, Seven News reported.
‘The result today is a resounding endorsement and reconfirmation for people like you and like me.’
Thorpe thanked his partner during the speech, and said he was proud to be involved as an advocate for marriage equality.
‘I had to ask my partner about this and I was grateful that he was prepared to be a part of this campaign as well. I was happy and proud,’ he said.
Thorpe (pictured), 35, was heavily involved in the ‘yes’ campaign along with his law student boyfriend Ryan Channing
He told the 1,500-strong crowd the result should be celebrated by all Australians and said it brings all Australians together under the law.
‘We are at our best when we embrace all of our differences and realise when we bring them together we are far better than we would be otherwise,’ he said.
Thorpe later took to Twitter to say: ‘Thank you, Australia #yes’.
‘Today of all days I am proud to be and to call myself an Australian,’ Thorpe (pictured with partner Ryan Channing) told the crowd
Despite being happy and proud of the result, Thorpe (pictured) said there was still ‘unfinished business’ until the law is changed
Despite being happy and proud of the result, Thorpe said there was still ‘unfinished business’ until the law is changed.
He declined to say whether he and his partner would be getting married in the wake of the winning ‘yes’ vote, The Daily Telegraph reported.
‘Out of respect for marriage and what it means to so many people, I wouldn’t want to comment just yet,’ he said.
‘After Christmas, as long as it goes through, you can ask me again.’
Thorpe (pictured, right) declined to say whether he and his partner (pictured, left) would be getting married in the wake of the winning ‘yes’ vote