THEY are the undisputed king and queen of the pool, but Michael Phelps and Stephanie Rice yesterday stoked speculation they are more than just swimming friends with a steamy embrace on the eve of the world championships.
Australian golden girl Rice has gone to great lengths to keep her obvious affection for Phelps a secret, but the pair yesterday simply couldn't hide their delight at a chance meeting in the water at Rome's Foro Italico.
Preparing to defend their positions as the world's top male and female swimmers at the world championships, starting tomorrow, Phelps, 24, and Rice, 21, hugged and gushed at one another as the US and Australian teams trained together for the first time since arriving on Wednesday.
The obvious friendliness between the two swimmers at a Speedo function in Beijing after the Olympics finished last August was the first sign of romance between the pair.
The swim champs were also spotted kissing at a party as they celebrated their Olympic triumphs. Phelps won a record eight gold medals at the Games to become the most decorated Olympian in history, while Rice made a perfect Olympic debut, winning three gold medals, all in world record time.
At the time both denied that there was anything but friendship between them, although Rice has gone on record saying how much she admires both Phelps' talent and his body.
Rice has twice visited Phelps' hometown of Baltimore since Beijing, but claimed it was Phelps' training partner Katie Hoff who she had gone to visit.
Hoff is one of Rice's biggest rivals in the individual medley, although the American girl has had a tough year since the Olympics and will not compete in Rome. However, they have formed a close friendship outside the pool
"Katie and I are probably best friends," Rice said recently.
"I talk to her every second day and we keep in great touch. She is probably the first person that I have become really good friends with that is also strong competitor of mine.
"It's been really great, we've learnt a lot from each other and help each other out.
"We talk about everything pretty much, whatever is on our mind. I talk to her often, once or twice a week.
"I've been over there a couple of times to stay with her and she is one of those girls I will keep in touch with once I finish swimming as well."
Rice has battled illness in the lead-up to the world championships but is hopeful that she will contend for her first world title.
She begins her campaign with the 200m individual medley tomorrow
Rice has twice visited Phelps' hometown of Baltimore since Beijing, but claimed it was Phelps' training partner Katie Hoff who she had gone to visit.
Hoff is one of Rice's biggest rivals in the individual medley, although the American girl has had a tough year since the Olympics and will not compete in Rome. However, they have formed a close friendship outside the pool
"Katie and I are probably best friends," Rice said recently.
"I talk to her every second day and we keep in great touch. She is probably the first person that I have become really good friends with that is also strong competitor of mine.
"It's been really great, we've learnt a lot from each other and help each other out.
"We talk about everything pretty much, whatever is on our mind. I talk to her often, once or twice a week.
"I've been over there a couple of times to stay with her and she is one of those girls I will keep in touch with once I finish swimming as well."
Rice has battled illness in the lead-up to the world championships but is hopeful that she will contend for her first world title.
She begins her campaign with the 200m individual medley tomorrow
At the time both denied that there was anything but friendship between them, although Rice has gone on record saying how much she admires both Phelps' talent and his body.
Rice has twice visited Phelps' hometown of Baltimore since Beijing, but claimed it was Phelps' training partner Katie Hoff who she had gone to visit.
Hoff is one of Rice's biggest rivals in the individual medley, although the American girl has had a tough year since the Olympics and will not compete in Rome. However, they have formed a close friendship outside the pool
"Katie and I are probably best friends," Rice said recently.
"I talk to her every second day and we keep in great touch. She is probably the first person that I have become really good friends with that is also strong competitor of mine.
"It's been really great, we've learnt a lot from each other and help each other out.
"We talk about everything pretty much, whatever is on our mind. I talk to her often, once or twice a week.
"I've been over there a couple of times to stay with her and she is one of those girls I will keep in touch with once I finish swimming as well."
Rice has battled illness in the lead-up to the world championships but is hopeful that she will contend for her first world title.
She begins her campaign with the 200m individual medley tomorrow
Source
Rice has twice visited Phelps' hometown of Baltimore since Beijing, but claimed it was Phelps' training partner Katie Hoff who she had gone to visit.
Hoff is one of Rice's biggest rivals in the individual medley, although the American girl has had a tough year since the Olympics and will not compete in Rome. However, they have formed a close friendship outside the pool
"Katie and I are probably best friends," Rice said recently.
"I talk to her every second day and we keep in great touch. She is probably the first person that I have become really good friends with that is also strong competitor of mine.
"It's been really great, we've learnt a lot from each other and help each other out.
"We talk about everything pretty much, whatever is on our mind. I talk to her often, once or twice a week.
"I've been over there a couple of times to stay with her and she is one of those girls I will keep in touch with once I finish swimming as well."
Rice has battled illness in the lead-up to the world championships but is hopeful that she will contend for her first world title.
She begins her campaign with the 200m individual medley tomorrow
Source
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