‘Gave my life to God’: Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice becomes born-again Christian

Olympic champion Stephanie Rice’s recent Instagram videos, featuring tearful prayers and a baptism, showing her intense conversion to born-again Christianity, have left fans concerned.

Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice has shared a series of confronting videos chronicling her dramatic and swift transition to born-again Christianity, which has left many fans puzzled and concerned.

Rice, 35, known for her stellar swimming career, has taken to Instagram to share her new-found faith and life in Dubai, a move that has sparked a range of reactions from her 136k followers.

In the video, Rice is seen visibly breaking down in tears while engaged in prayer, as well as

what appears to be a baptism ceremony.

Stephanie Rice has shared a series of snippets of her life over past few months, including confronting videos of her breaking down crying while praying. Picture: Instagram

Former Olympian Stephanie Rice shared images of herself crying to social media. Source: Instagram

The videos are not just limited to Rice’s faith, they also include heartfelt interactions with her new boyfriend, Dane Christison, whom she met through a church connection and snippets of her life since moving to Dubai.

In the video’s caption, Rice described the tumultuous period leading up to her conversion, marked by personal hardships including battling Covid, suffering an injury during SAS Australia, and enduring the public scrutiny of these experiences.

Steph Rice with her new partner. Source: Instagram

Former Olympian Stephanie Rice met her new partner in Dubai. Source: Instagram

“Two months ago I gave my life to God. The journey since then has been wild to say the least, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Rice stated in a post.

She described the period leading up to her conversion as the lowest point in her life, marked by a profound loss of faith and hope.

Her turning point, as described in the caption, was a complete surrender to a higher power.

“He saved me. He is putting all the pieces back together again in the most beautiful way.”

The post, combined with a voiceover stating, “Sometimes it takes certain things falling apart, for better things to fall into place,” has left some followers questioning the sudden change pivot to a devout Christian lifestyle, and her shock move to Dubai in November.

Former Olympian Stephanie Rice posted images of her baptism. Source: Instagram

While some followers have expressed support and admiration for Rice’s journey, others have voiced scepticism and discomfort with her sudden and radical shift towards religion. Comments range from accusations of being “brainwashed” to criticisms of the religious “overload” in her posts.

“Brainwashed” one commenter wrote, while another said “I’ve enjoyed following you Steph but sorry this religious overload is not for me.”

The diversity of reactions also includes humorous takes, with some followers jesting about their own forms of ‘worship’.

“I found a way out too by worshipping at the altar of Dan Murphy. HE saved me many times. HIS sermons are terrific. I think … can’t really remember much tbh,” one commenter wrote.

Rice is believed to be a member of Pentecostal multi-site church, Kingdomcity, which has multiple locations around the world including Brisbane and Dubai.