Swimming legend Stephanie Rice has gone public with her new relationship, revealing that she has been in a relationship with pastor and Australian father of three Mark Lassey for several months.
Rice, 36, who moved to Dubai in November 2023 to start a new life, shared the news with her followers on Instagram on Sunday evening.
“When we met almost 5 months ago we both knew this was different!” she posted alongside photos of herself and Lassey.
“From the beginning there was a deep connection between us. Because our lives are so complex, we wanted to spend the first few months with just family and friends. We wanted to enjoy the miracle of falling in love.”
Rice explained that a mutual friend put them in touch, and the rest is history.
“But as God would have it, that first phone call made us feel like this was exactly where we were both meant to end up,” she said.
‘It has been challenging living halfway around the world, in different time zones (thankfully we have Zoom), but God has been so good and present every step of the way, giving us unwavering confidence that our future will be even more extraordinary because of Him.
‘If there is one word that sums up how we both feel right now, it is thankful. Thankful for God, thankful that He brought us together at His perfect timing, thankful for a fresh start.
Swimmer 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 ‘on opposite sides of the world’
The swimming legend has already met Lassey (second from right) and his sons (left to right) Tyler, Joel and Luke
‘Grateful for the peace and strength we find in each other, grateful for our loving friends and family, grateful for a wonderful church and mentors who support us on our journey, and most of all, grateful for each other.’
Rice is heavily involved with the Kingdom City church in Dubai and Lassey is a pastor at the organization in Perth, Western Australia.
According to his LinkedIn profile, he has been a member of the church for over 10 years and is the father of sons Tyler, Joel and Luke. Rice meeting his sons is a clear sign that they are in a serious relationship.
The Olympic gold medalist joined the church when she made her surprise move to Dubai late last year.
“I honestly never thought I would become this person who would show up at prayer nights, by myself, in a new country, and connect with a community through a church,” she wrote.
“But here I am, and my goodness, it’s so special and it’s helped me feel so supported in this new home in Dubai.”
Kingdom City was founded in Perth in 2003 and has since expanded globally with offices in Africa, Europe and Asia, as well as the Middle East.
Rice said the couple were introduced by a mutual friend and are deeply in love. They both share a strong commitment to their religion.
Rice previously dated former soldier Dane Christison, whom she met in an Australian church.
The couple went on holiday to the United States last Christmas, but they split again in May.
The Olympic swimmer then posted a message saying she was glad to be out of her previous relationship.
“When I moved, I wanted to share the journey with you guys even more, in real time,” she said.
“I just went through the deepest healing. I was in a very challenging relationship at the time, when we broke up, I felt the peace of God resting on me. I felt free. I felt happy.
Lassey is pictured on the right as he prays on stage during a Kingdom City Church meeting
Rice said her new life in Dubai has taken a burden off her shoulders.
“For the first time I realized the weight that I was carrying. I felt like everything was falling away from me and I’m in a great place now where I feel so happy and content,” she said.
The athlete thanked God for the positive progress in her life.
“God is so good. I see so much fruit from the wonderful things that God has given me, and I’m excited to share so much more of what’s happened in the last six months,” she said.
‘Now I have much more clarity, much more peace and much more happiness.’