Triple Olympic gold medallist Rice well placed in swimsuit wars

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Melbourne, May 2 (ANI): Triple Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice is the best known swimmer in the world without a personal swimwear sponsor, and would be in a winning position during the world championships in July.

The International Swimming Federation's newly formed commission assembles in Lausanne next week to decide which hi-tech swimsuits will be legal for the world titles in Rome, after an influx of new brands and new technology destabilised the sport in the past year.

On the advice of her coach Michael Bohl, Rice deliberately refrained from taking the money on offer from the manufacturers to an athlete of her stature.

Bohl believes that she is now in the perfect position to respond to the changing conditions for the world titles.

"I said all along that she didn't want to pigeonhole herself because we don't know what the rules will be," The Australian quoted Bohl, as saying.

"I think Speedo and Arena are both very keen to sign her, but I think signing early would have been crazy. She probably won't sign a deal now until after the world championships where they will decide what the rules are for 2010," he added.

Rice tested a range of brands, including Arena, Adidas and Blue Seventy. She set both of her world records in Speedo's LZR Racer at the Beijing Olympics and will consider all brands before deciding what she will wear in Rome. (ANI)