Five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has admitted that he has met some "nut cases" while dating.

The 33-year-old Australian swimmer, who revealed that he is gay last year, has claimed that he wants to settle down.

In an interview with Sunday Style, Thorpe said: "Dating's been a lot harder than I thought it would be. It's an absolute mess out there. I'm like, 'where are all the normal people?'

"I've never really dated, so I've come in being almost completely blindsided by this. I think if someone puts an effort into a date, then full points. It's not like I'm a hard marker, but there are some nut cases. It's just a bit weird.

"But that's the dating scene. I say it and I laugh and I've got a smile on my face, so it's not that bad."

Thorpe has also earned three silver Olympic medals and one bronze during his career.