http://www.news.com.au/news/stephan...ant-at-velodrome/story-fnejlvvj-1226446687151
Stephanie Rice's heart torn at Australia-USA game
Andrew Webster
The Daily Telegraph
August 09, 2012 12:28PM
Conflicting loyalties: Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice cheers on the Australian team - and Kobe Bryant - in the quarter-final clash with the USA.
FORMER Olympic swimmer Craig Stevens believes there is "definitely something going on" between Stephanie Rice and Kobe Bryant.
And Stevens believes Bryant's apparent interest in the Australian dates back to the last Olympics.
While Bryant was busy playing the [Australia] in an Olympic quarter-final in London, Stevens this morning rang
Triple M radio in Sydney, revealing the LA Lakers superstar had shown interest in Rice at the last Games in Beijing in 2008.
"I think there is definitely something going on," he said.
"I was a swimmer at the Last Olympics and he was hanging round us a fair bit, at different parties and what not," Stevens said.
"I remember her telling a story how he kind of put it to her. He had the family coming in the next day but he had that night free."
The basketballer and swimmer were photographed sitting together in the stands as Anna Meares won her sprint gold yesterday morning.
When
The Daily Telegraph called Stevens to verify it was him on air today, Stevens said confirmed his belief that Bryant's interest in Rice pre-dates the London Olympics.
"He was at the same parties and gigs a lot," Stevens said.
Rice did nothing to quash rumours of a blossoming romance with Kobe Bryant as she watched him take on [Australia].
Rice did her best neutral supporter act as she sat in the stands, decked in green and gold, and didn't react when Bryant hit back to back three-point baskets early in the second half.
While Australia fought valiantly, but they were eventually overpowered by the strong US team, going down 119-86, with Bryant scoring 20 points.
Asked what she thought of Bryant's performance, Rice said: "He was great but Australia was better."
Rice said she "really enjoyed'' the game.
Asked where she would be heading afterwards, Rice said: "Wherever Australia is going."
With that, Rice changed out of her Australian tracksuit into her black mini dress and tank top before leaving the stadium.
Australia swimmer Stephanie Rice leaves the Men's Basketball quaterfinal game between the United States and Australia
Yesterday, Opals star Liz Cambage took to Twitter to have a thinly-veiled swipe at the blossoming romance between Rice and Bryant.
Cambage, who has attracted headlines in London herself after becoming the first woman to pull off a slam dunk at the Olympics, took to Twitter to voice her disapproval of the Steph-Kobe show.
"I love how Kobe has his wife with him at the Olympics, yet still surrounded by groupies," the 20-year-old tweeted.
"Some women need to get a grip ASAP!"
When Australian NBA superstar Andrew Bogut asked if Cambage had anyone in mind, Cambage replied: "Just said what everyone else is thinking."
Bryant's wife Vanessa filed for divorce last year amid reports that the LA Lakers shooting guard had been unfaithful, but there is talk they are trying to patch things up.
The estranged couple were seen with their children at the Aquatic Centre on the final night of the Olympic swimming meeting.
Rice was not competing.
Kobe Bryant chats with Steph Rice at the cycling in the Velodrome.
Having first met Bryant at a party in Beijing four years ago, Rice renewed acquaintances when they bumped into each other at a pre-games camp in Manchester.
Rice gave him two signed swimming caps for his daughter, who is apparently a big fan, and Bryant returned the gesture with a signed pair of his basketball shoes.
"It was a pretty good trade but I don't know whether they will fit into my suitcase," Rice said.
If Rice and Bryant are indeed more than "just friends", it wouldn't be the first time the Aussie swimmer has been romantically involved with a high-profile US athlete.
Rice was the talk of the athletes village in Beijing in 2008 after being spotted locking lips with none other than the greatest Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps.
That occurred just weeks after Rice had separated from fellow Australian swim sensation Eamon Sullivan, who made the 50m freestyle final in London.
Since the swimming finished, Rice has been spotted at the Last Lap party at Soho nightclub Chinawhite, and then a Speedo party at Kensington Roof Gardens.
After watching Meares claim gold, she was then at the Olympic Stadium, sitting in primo seats as Sally Pearson claimed a second gold for Australia in one day.