Fresh from his recent highly-acclaimed Olympics presenting role on the BBC, Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe will be visiting the Palais des Festivals at MIPCOM on Monday 8th October, making a special appearance for the launch of ABC Commercial’s documentary IAN THORPE: THE SWIMMER (1 x 56’ HD).

IAN THORPE: THE SWIMMER is an honest and intimate portrayal of the legendary swimmer as he fails in his Olympic comeback mission but re-discovers a love of swimming.

In October 2010 Ian Thorpe, Australia’s most successful Olympian, announced his swimming comeback - his goal, victory at the London Olympics. We all know how the competitive swimming part of this story ends: defeat. But IAN THORPE: THE SWIMMER moves beyond the well-known media persona and reveals Ian’s inner

struggles - not just to swim fast but to rewrite his sporting legend, re-engage with the public and, most intriguing of all, discover a different relationship with the water and learn to love swimming again.

IAN THORPE: THE SWIMMER gets up-close and personal with “Thorpey”. Friends and filmmakers, Gregor Jordan and Simone Kessell, interviewed and filmed Ian as he trained, secretly at first, then competed in lead-up events to the Olympic Trials in March 2012.

IAN THORPE: THE SWIMMER premiered on Australia’s ABC1 in July this year. The documentary is directed by Gregor Jordan (Two Hands, Buffalo Soldiers, Ned Kelly), producers are Gregor Jordan, Helen Panckhurst, Simone Kessell, and Michael Hilliard. Executive producer is Rob Galluzzo and production company is The Finch Company.

ABC Commercial holds worldwide rights for IAN THORPE: THE SWIMMER.

See ABC Commercial at MIPCOM: Stand 04:36/06:37 (Screen Australia)