Simplify the following text for a Grade 6 native English-speaking person.
Original: Ian James Thorpe OAM ( born 13 October 1982 ) , nicknamed the Thorpedo and Thorpey , is an Australian swimmer who specialises in freestyle , but also competes in backstroke and the individual medley .
Simplified: Ian Thorpe ( born 13 October 1982 in Sydney , New South Wales ) is an Australian swimmer .