While we have Mihael Phleps enjoying his stardom and making the best of it, Stephanie Rice couldn't care less about it

Olympic golden girl Stephanie Rice has admitted that she is having trouble adapting to her celebrity status. The triple gold medallist, who has reaped thousands in magazine deals and collected a rumoured 700,000 dollars after inking a deal with Channel 7, says she is struggling with the exposure that comes with her new media profile.

"Everyone else I know is just a sport sperson. They don't have their private life proclaimed in the media. So that's why I feel it's so different for me," News.com.au quoted her, as saying. As far as her rumoured romance with her swim training partner and long-time pal Brendan Capell, and her suggested liaison with US champion Michael Phelps is concerned, Rice is adamant she is single.

"No, I'm not (seeing anyone), although I'm apparently seeing five different people," she said. Rice made no mention of her break-up with ex beau Eamon Sullivan. "I'm definitely enjoying coming out of a long relationship and also my first relationship," she said. "I'm just enjoying being back with my friends and not really worrying about anything," she added.

Surely Ms Rice is not aware that fame comes with its price and everyone blessed with it should sooner learn to deal with it.