Olympian Stephanie Rice opens up on the end of her short-lived relationship

In a lengthy Instagram video, Olympic gold medallist Steph Rice has revealed intimate details about her ill-fated relationship.

Olympian Stephanie Rice has released a fresh Instagram video detailing the end of her “really challenging relationship” with ex-boyfriend Dane Christison.

In a video titled “Life Update” to her 147,000 followers on the platform, Rice was intent on explaining why she hadn’t kept them up to date on her new life in Dubai.

The 35-year-old announced her move to Dubai in December 2022, describing it as a fresh start in a tearful video from a first-class flight.

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

She shared snippets of their life together, including videos of the couple embracing and on holiday.

That same month, Rice also posted a series of videos detailing her swift transition to born-again Christianity, which left many fans puzzled and concerned.

In her latest video, Rice begins by explaining the journey she has been on since the move to Dubai.

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

Stephanie Rice in her new Instagram video

“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.”

Rice then details the difficulties of the break-up with Christison and why she had been somewhat absent on social media

“When I moved, 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 spliced in images of her journey over the past six months, including photos of her praying, and expressed her gratitude to God.

“God is so good,” she said. “I’m seeing so many fruits of the amazing things God has given me and I want to be able to share a lot more of what’s kind of happened over the past six months.

“Now that I have a lot more clarity, a lot more peace, and a lot more happiness.”

Ten weeks after going public with her relationship, Christison vanished from her Instagram page.

First identified by News Corp as a former soldier, Christison looked all loved up with Rice in photos shared of their romantic Christmas holiday.

The three-time Olympic gold medallist told her followers at the time she had no plans to return to Australia and her Christian faith that inspired the dramatic move overseas.

She seemed overjoyed about that decision when first sharing photos of herself with Christison.

“I never would have expected the year to end this way!!” Rice wrote.

More photos Rice included in the Instagram video

“Giving my life to God, following his call to move my life to Dubai, meeting (Christison) on my first week at church in Brisbane and spending our first Christmas together in New York.

“I can’t tell you how long I’ve waited for this. You just have to keep faith in his plan and in his timing.

“God is so, so good and I can’t wait to see what he has in store for 2024.”

Rice shared photos of her returning to Australia to speak at Christian charity events, including one with Brisbane Lions great Simon Black and Aussie cricket cult hero Chris Lynn.

“It been such a blessing to be back here to see my friends and family and progress some excited work commitments,” she wrote on Instagram.

“I was asked to speak last week at Christian charity event and I have another speaking event later in my trip, along with a photo shoot for a new brand partner which is truly so exciting.”

Rice during the welcome home parade for the 2008 Australian Olympic team at Brisbane City Mall.

She had a decorated career in the pool. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

She went on to write: “I’m looking forward to heading back to Dubai shortly but this trip to Australia has been rewarding in so many ways.

“Praise the Lord for all the good he is doing in every area of my life. Thank you God.”

Rice had never previously spoken publicly about her moving plans and didn’t mention it during filming of last year’s SAS Australia program, when she was forced to quit as a result of a serious injury.

Rice was in tears on the show as she detailed her relationship record in a heartbreaking interview, when she also opened up on her mental struggles since finishing her athletic career, which included the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

“It’s harder,” she said when asked about having personal relationships as a high profile figure.

“I think it’d be nice to have somebody to go through the harder times.

“I would love to have somebody to help through, like ride the waves.”

She said there was “not a lot” for her to go home to after filming of the show wrapped up.