Thorpe wins Australian Human Rights Medal

Canberra - Legendary Australian swimmer and Olympic champion Ian Thorpe received the 2012 Human Rights Medal from the Australian Human Rights Commission Tuesday.

The Commission said Thorpe has been a “passionate advocate for indigenous people” for over a decade, reports Xinhua.

“His exploits in the pool have made him a household name but what is less known is that Ian Thorpe has spent more than a decade as a passionate advocate for indigenous people and young Australians. His Fountain for Youth charity is working with 20 remote communities across the country,” said the Commission’s website.

“I’d like to dedicate this award to the people that are on the ground that do this work on a daily basis that contributes to communities that I don’t,” Thorpe said in a video.

Thorpe’s Fountain for Youth began in 2000 and focuses on raising awareness and funds to bring positive change to the lives of indigenous children and their communities by supporting education and cultural programs.