Melbourne, Aug 14 : Aussie Olympic gold medallist swimmer Stephanie Rice's has posed for raunchy photos in a men's magazine.

Rice, who is the world record holder for the 200m and 400m individual medley, is the latest FHM magazine cover girl.

But media buyer Harold Mitchell said Rice's marketability had dwindled after her split from WA sprint star Eamon Sullivan.

According to Mitchell the photos would not add to her image and should be a one-off, and experts have also added that Rice's raunchy shoot on the eve of the Beijing Games was also a risk.

The pictures would not only increase pressure on her to perform in the pool, it would make her a target, according to former triathlon champion Nici Andronicus.

"It's not a distraction (to Rice), but it's a distraction to the other competitors because it puts a giant cross on your shoulders, and they will do everything they can to bring you down,'' Perth quoted Andronicus, who was a regular swimsuit cover girl during her career, as saying.

Brand managers and strategists said the sexy images would do nothing for 20-year-old Rice's wholesome image.

ANI