Stephanie Rice goes public with new romance after keeping it a secret for five months - here's the surprising way she met the dad-of-three who won her heart

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Swimming legend Stephanie Rice has gone public with her new relationship, announcing she's been dating pastor and Australian father-of-three Mark Lassey for several months.

Rice, 36, who moved to start a new life in Dubai in November 2023, took to Instagram on Sunday evening to share the news with her followers. 

'When we met almost 5 months ago, we both knew this was different!' she posted alongside photos of herself and Lassey.

'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.'

Rice went on to explain that a mutual friend had put them in touch, and the rest is history.

'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,' she said.

'Living halfway across the world from each other in different time zones has had its 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.

Swimming great Stephanie Rice has announced her new relationship with pastor Mark Lassey (pictured together) 

Rice revealed that she and Lassey have been dating for several months despite 'living halfway across the world from each other'

The swimming legend has already met Lassey (second from right) and his sons (from left to right) Tyler, Joel and Luke

'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 is heavily involved in Kingdomcity in Dubai, and Lassey is a pastor with the organisation in Perth, Western Australia.

He has been with the church for more than 10 years, according to his LinkedIn profile, and is father to sons Tyler, Joel and Luke - with Rice meeting his boys in a sure sign they're in a serious relationship.

The Olympic gold medallist joined the church when she made her shock move to Dubai late last year.

'I honestly never thought I would be this person turning up on prayer nights, on my own, in a new country, connecting with a community through a church,' she wrote.

'But here I am and gosh it is so special and has helped me feel so supported in this new home in Dubai.'

Kingdom City started in Perth in 2003 and has since gone global with branches in Africa, Europe and Asia in addition to the Middle East. 

Rice said the pair were introduced by a mutual friend and are very much in love - with both sharing a strong dedication to their religion

Rice was previously romantically involved with former soldier Dane Christison, who she met at an Australian church.

The couple holidayed in the United States over last Christmas, but parted ways back in May.

Then, the Olympic swimmer posted about being happy she was out of the former relationship.

'When I moved, I really wanted to share a lot more of the journey with you guys in real time,' she said.

'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 I felt free. I felt happy.

Lassey is pictured right as he prays on stage at a gathering of the Kingdomcity church

Rice said that her new life in Dubai has lifted a weight off her shoulders.

'For the first time, I realised the heaviness that I was carrying. 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,' she said.

The athlete went on to thank God for the positive progress in her life.

'God is so good. 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' she said.

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