‘Knew this was different’: Steph Rice goes public with relationship in heartfelt post

Aussie Olympic champion Steph Rice has gone public with her new partner, sharing a gushing tribute and loved up pics in a heartfelt post.

Australian Olympic champion Stephanie Rice has gone public with her new partner, declaring they both “knew this was different”.

On Sunday night, Rice shared she has been in a relationship with father-of-three Mark Lassey in a heartfelt joint Instagram post.

Their post read: “When we met almost 5 months ago, we both knew this was different!

“From the start, there was a deep intentionally between us, and because of the complexities of our lives we wanted to keep these first few months between close family and friends, and enjoy the wonder of falling in love.”

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Rice, 36, has recently moved to Dubai for work opportunities and said she and Lassey have been enjoying their long-distance relationship. She said a mutual friend put them in touch and the rest is history.

The post continued: “We come from such different backgrounds, so when a mutual friend saw the potential and connected us, we were both pretty unsure the other would be interested … not to mention the fact we live on opposite sides of the globe.

“But as God would have it, that first phone conversation made us feel like this was exactly where we were both meant to end up.

“Since then, we’ve been so blessed that our work has taken us around the world, allowing us to spend a few days together either side of our commitments, hanging out in different cities, meeting each other’s friends and family, and discovering what a life together will look like.

Stephanie Rice with her new partner Mark Lassey. Photo: Instagram.

The Olympic champ is all loved up. Photo: Instagram.

“Living halfway across the world from each other in different time zones has had it’s challenges (thank god for zoom) but God has been so good and so present in every step of our journey, which gives us an unwavering faith that our future will be even more extraordinary through Him.

“If there is one word that sums up how both of us feel right now, it’s grateful.

“Grateful for God, grateful for Him bringing us together in His perfect timing, grateful for a fresh start, grateful for the peace and strength we find in each other, grateful for loving friends and family, grateful for an amazing church and mentors supporting our journey, and most of all, grateful for each other.”

Rice added on her Instagram stories: “Sooo happy and so excited to finally shared this with you guys.”

According to Lassey’s Instagram bio, he is a pastor for the Kingdomcity churches. He shared the post, writing: “My girl”.

Rice announced her move to Dubai in December 2022, describing it as a fresh start.

She has shared several posts explaining the Christianity journey she has been on since the move to Dubai.

“Oh my gosh you guys, I’m so excited,” she said.

“I can’t even believe it’s been six months since I picked up my life in Australia, moved to Dubai and started what feels like all over again.

“But it kind of feels like not all over again. A bit more like the next season part two and it’s been the most amazing six months, wow.

“It’s been intense, it’s been really deeply healing.”

Steph Rice and Mark Lassey. Photo: Instagram.

The couple connected through a mutual friend. Photo: Instagram.

Late last year she revealed she was in a relationship with Dane Christison, whom she met through a church connection.

Rice confirmed their split earlier this year, detailing the difficulties of the break-up with Christison and why she had been somewhat absent on social media

“When I moved (to Dubai), I really wanted to share a lot more of the journey with you guys in real time,” she said.

“But I just was going through the deepest healing.

“I was in a really challenging relationship at the time.

“When we broke up, I felt the peace of God was upon me. I felt like light, I felt free, I felt happy. I felt like I can do anything.

“For the first time, I realised wow, the heaviness I was carrying was insane and I just felt like it all lifted off me and I feel like I’m in this amazing place now where I feel so happy, so content.”

Rice will be covering the Paris Olympics.

Rice is happier than ever. Photo: Instagram.

Rice has previously opened up on her mental health struggles since finishing her athletic career, which included the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The former swimmer has been splitting her time between Dubai and Brisbane, and she will be part of Stan Sport’s coverage of the Paris Olympics.

Rice, who won three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, is also writing exclusively for news.com.au during the Paris Olympics and has already weighed in on the rivalry between Australia and the USA’s swimming teams.