Are Stephanie Rice and Kobe Bryant dating?

Pictures emerged overnight of Stephanie Rice and Kobe Bryant sitting side-by-side at the Olympic velodrome adding to the rumour the pair are more than just friends. The couple chatted and laughed while watching Australian cyclist Anna Meares race for gold against her British rival Victoria Pendleton.

According to news.com.au, "The pair first met in Manchester where the Australian swim team had set up camp before the Olympics and where the US Dream Team was playing practice matches.

Bryant and Rice exchanged gifts in the northern city – she signed two swimming caps while he gave our glamour girl a pair of signed sneakers."