Stephanie Rice’s chest infection isn’t the only thing disrupting her training for this week’s world titles. She is also stricken with love, writes Sarah Blake.
Looking more like honeymooners than elite swimmers about to compete on the world stage, Stephanie Rice and Ashley Delaney had eyes only for each other as they strolled the streets of Manchester, England.
With arms wrapped tightly around each other, the sporty pair’s super-charged intimacy left onlookers in no doubt about their romance, even within the strict confines of the Australian swim team’s UK training camp.
“It’s long-distance relationship syndrome,” says a team mate. “Back in Australia, where Steph lives in Brisbane and Ash in Canberra, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to spend quality time together. But going overseas on the same swim team … they’ve had a lot of quiet time to just hang out together and be a couple.”
Woman’s Day revealed the new relationship last month, and there is no doubt the romance has gathered steam since then. While they were both slogging it out in Manchester, it wasn’t all hard work. The couple were spotted window shopping, and having coffee at a cafe near their hotel.
“When Ashley and Steph are with the rest of the team, they tend to stand apart from each other. But when they’re alone they’re like any other couple, walking with their arms around each other,” an onlooker said.
With Ashley, 23, on hand to nurse Stephanie, 21, through a persistent respiratory infection, their love affair has provided a welcome distraction from intense pressure in the lead-up to the World Championships.
However, the team member said there were concerns the golden girl would not be able to put her infatuation with the rising backstroke star to one side as she competes at this week’s FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome.
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