Stephanie Rice and Michael Phelps appeared friendly at a Speedo demonstration this week.

Now that U.S. Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps has racked up his eight gold medals and chosen Frosted Flakes over Wheaties, we can focus breathlessly on his love life, since, of course, all his training and competing and posing for the media has left him a ton of time with which to pursue the ladies.

And today, a new name and face — from Australia! — was added to the pool.

To recap:

Earlier this week, Phelps was linked for nearly half an hour to U.S. swimmer and onetime Playboy model Amanda Beard. She quickly and rather cattily dismissed the rumours, suggesting he was kind of yucky-looking.

Beard later apologized for the remarks.

Then Phelps was linked to British model Lily Donaldson. But we assume that since Donaldson hasn’t either, 1. Come forth to dispel the rumors, or, 2. Confirmed the rumors with a $1 million exclusive in OK! magazine, she must be, 3. Dead. Which is too bad, as she looked like a nice girl.

DISCLAIMER: We were kidding, we were kidding! Lily Donaldson is alive and well, as far as we know.

But today, several Australian media outlets reported that, as the Herald Sun put it, “A shirtless Phelps got friendly” with Aussie Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice at a Speedo promotion this week, and “it set tongues wagging.”

The Herald Sun added that “the pair were very close at a party organised by Ian Thorpe on Monday night.”