After years of denying rumors about his sexuality, Australian swimming great Ian Thorpe has revealed he is gay in an interview set to be broadcast on Sunday.

The five-time Olympic gold medalist makes the revelation in an interview with British commentator Michael Parkinson, due to be aired by Australia's Channel 10, reports said.

Australia's Sunday Telegraph newspaper said the 31-year-old also describes his years of battling with depression in the emotional interview recorded last month.