Thorpe reveals years of crippling depression

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe. AFP PHOTO

SYDNEY — Five-time Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe says he’s spent much of his life battling “crippling depression”, occasionally considered suicide and often turned to heavy alcohol consumption to manage his moods.

In an extract of Thorpe’s upcoming book, “This is Me: The Autobiography,” published in Australian media Saturday, he said he had never spoken openly about his mental condition to friends or family.

Thorpe, 30, said while did not consider himself an alcoholic, he “used alcohol as a means to rid my head of terrible thoughts, as a way of managing my moods.” He said he was able to hide his drinking from sports psychologists and coaches, and at times considered suicide.

Thorpe came out of nearly six years of retirement last year, but failed to qualify for the London Olympics.