Ian Thorpe awarded honorary doctorate

Ian Thorpe has become a doctor, adding another award to his adorned mantlepiece.

The Australian swimming great was presented with an honorary doctorate of letters from Macquarie University in Sydney.

It recognises the 31-year-old’s achievements in sport, philanthropy and Indigenous rights.

Thorpe was greeted with applause from university graduates where he once studied an arts degree as he accepted the doctorate.

He apologised for not being actor Cate Blanchett, who was recently presented the same honour.

“I know some of you may be tremendously disappointed,” he said on Wednesday.

“Cate Blanchett gave one of these addresses just a week ago and you’re stuck with me.”

Read The Guardian and Macquarie University

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