Rice: 'I want a new boyfriend for Xmas'

Stephanie Rice has revealed that all she wants for Christmas is a new boyfriend.

The Australian swimmer, who broke up with long-term partner and fellow Olympic medallist Eamon Sullivan on the night before the Beijing Olympics, said that she finds it difficult to have romance in her life.

The 21-year-old star told The Daily Telegraph: "Everyone's always, 'Steph, you need a boyfriend', and I'm like, 'I know, but apparently I have four'," she said. "Believe me, one would be just perfect."

Rice has been linked to American swimmer Michael Phelps, Aussie swimmer Nick D'Arcy, rugby league player David Williams and training partner Brendan Capell in the past year.

She added: "It's hard to tell if people like the idea of [Stephanie Rice the star] or if they really like you."

Rice dumped her management team and decided to take control of her own affairs earlier this year.