Ian Thorpe is now 'Dr.' Ian Thorpe!

Australian Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe has been presented with an honorary doctorate of letters from Macquarie University in Sydney to add to his achievements in sports, charity and indigenous rights.

As the celebrated swimmer took to the lectern, Dr Thorpe was greeted with applause from graduands of the university where he once studied an arts degree. Humbly, he apologised for not being actor Cate Blanchett, who was recently presented the same honour.

Thorpe said that he knows some of the graduands might be tremendously disappointed, adding that Blanchett gave one of these addresses just a week ago and they are stuck with him, News.com.au reported.

The graduands were celebrating the nearing end of their university days. And while Thorpe congratulated them on their achievement, he said that the transition from student to working life would take a steely determination.

Thorpe said that they must be prepared to close this chapter of their life so they can progress to the next.

The five-time gold medallist is probably Australia's greatest ever swimmer, breaking 22 world records in his career, his first at age 16. He also started a foundation in 2000 supporting education and literacy programs for indigenous children, the report added.