Special Report: 2008 Olympic Games

    CANBERRA, Aug. 26 (Xinhua) -- Australian swimming star Stephanie Rice said on Tuesday the report about her romantic relationship with American swimmer Michael Phelps was just a rumor.

    The triple Olympic gold medal winner in Beijing said the reports she kissed Phelps at a Games celebration in Beijing was wrong, but she said meeting the record-breaking winner of eight Olympic gold medals at Beijing was inspirational.

    Rice and her former boyfriend - fellow Australian swim team member Eamon Sullivan - appeared before media and shoppers at a Sydney department store on Tuesday hours after returning from China.

    The 20-year gold medallist denied reports she shared a kiss with superfish Phelps at a post-swim meet party. "It was just great to meet him and meet people you usually see on TV like (tennis No1 Rafael) Nadal and (Roger) Federer," she said.

    "For me, Michael Phelps is a real inspiration and someone you really look up to," Australian Associated Press quoted her as saying.

    Rice and Sullivan parted ways on the eve of the Olympics after a two-year romance, saying they wanted to concentrate on their swimming.

    Sullivan, 22, who took silver in the 100m freestyle, said he hadn't spoken to Rice about the reports of a relationship with Phelps.

    "She's a mature girl and makes her own decisions and we're just enjoying being friends and that's something you just can't take away," he said.

    Rice's personal life has been the subject of speculation after taking her trifecta of gold in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 4x100m freestyle relay.