Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe speaks during the Doha Goals Forum in Qatar. Picture by Vinod Divakaran www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com

Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Sydney, Australia.

Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre in Sydney, Australia.

Ian Thorpe Thorpedo - The Drink ! - You never know when Australia-related things will pop up in Japan. Seen in a Shimbashi vending machine. This drink was around a lot last year, now it can be seen occasionally in vending machines.

Ian Thorpe Thorpedo - The brand energy bar - My dad bought this Thorpedo brand energy bar at the supermarket innocent of the candy's meaning. It just tickles me to know that Ian Thorpe is still getting licensing deals stateside.

Ian Thorpe's hand prints at the Sydney Aquatic Centre

Thorpe's Aquatic Center in Australia

It's the talk of the Sydney arts world... Iconic Australian sports figure Ian Thope will return to Sydney to launch a portrait painted of him for the 10-year anniversary of his charity, Fountain for Youth. The painting was completed a year ago but has not been revealed due to the swim star's Olympic training commitments. It's understood Thorpe will attend tonight's launch, coming off the Olympic trials in Adelaide. Well known and celebrated artist Charles Billich has enjoyed some wonderful conversations with the swimmer during their sittings for the portrait and thinks Thorpe is "going for the theatrics" and might surprise everyone with his comeback. "He's an impressive guy, not because he's famous but because he has enormous discipline, enormous energy and dedication and if he wants to do it, he will do it and he will do it again," Billich says. "I think he is leaving it to the last; he might have a sense of the theatrics with his timing and he'll surprise everyone." The art is entitled "Spiritual Training" and is described as "A composite portrait of Ian Thorpe...an iconic Australian Renaissance man". The occasion is in support of Ian Thorpe's charity - The Foundation for Youth. The painting can be acquired by silent auction. Websites Charles Billich official website www.billich.com Ian Thorpe official website www.ianthorpe.com Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com" Music News Australia www.musicnewsaustralia.com

It's the talk of the Sydney arts world... Iconic Australian sports figure Ian Thope will return to Sydney to launch a portrait painted of him for the 10-year anniversary of his charity, Fountain for Youth. The painting was completed a year ago but has not been revealed due to the swim star's Olympic training commitments. It's understood Thorpe will attend tonight's launch, coming off the Olympic trials in Adelaide. Well known and celebrated artist Charles Billich has enjoyed some wonderful conversations with the swimmer during their sittings for the portrait and thinks Thorpe is "going for the theatrics" and might surprise everyone with his comeback. "He's an impressive guy, not because he's famous but because he has enormous discipline, enormous energy and dedication and if he wants to do it, he will do it and he will do it again," Billich says. "I think he is leaving it to the last; he might have a sense of the theatrics with his timing and he'll surprise everyone." The art is entitled "Spiritual Training" and is described as "A composite portrait of Ian Thorpe...an iconic Australian Renaissance man". The occasion is in support of Ian Thorpe's charity - The Foundation for Youth. The painting can be acquired by silent auction. Websites Charles Billich official website www.billich.com Ian Thorpe official website www.ianthorpe.com Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com" Music News Australia www.musicnewsaustralia.com

It's the talk of the Sydney arts world... Iconic Australian sports figure Ian Thope will return to Sydney to launch a portrait painted of him for the 10-year anniversary of his charity, Fountain for Youth. The painting was completed a year ago but has not been revealed due to the swim star's Olympic training commitments. It's understood Thorpe will attend tonight's launch, coming off the Olympic trials in Adelaide. Well known and celebrated artist Charles Billich has enjoyed some wonderful conversations with the swimmer during their sittings for the portrait and thinks Thorpe is "going for the theatrics" and might surprise everyone with his comeback. "He's an impressive guy, not because he's famous but because he has enormous discipline, enormous energy and dedication and if he wants to do it, he will do it and he will do it again," Billich says. "I think he is leaving it to the last; he might have a sense of the theatrics with his timing and he'll surprise everyone." The art is entitled "Spiritual Training" and is described as "A composite portrait of Ian Thorpe...an iconic Australian Renaissance man". The occasion is in support of Ian Thorpe's charity - The Foundation for Youth. The painting can be acquired by silent auction. Websites Charles Billich official website www.billich.com Ian Thorpe official website www.ianthorpe.com Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr www.flickr.com/evarinaldiphotography Eva Rinaldi Photography www.evarinaldi.com" Music News Australia www.musicnewsaustralia.com