Olympic Swimmer Stephanie Rice Criticized For Wearing Racy Swimwear

Don't let that camera flash fool you, this is Stephanie Rice; Photo Credit: Instagram

3-time medalist being called "a disgrace" for posting self-portrait on Instagram

In a story that proves that the human race will seek out a reason to be in an uproar over just about anything, Aussie Olympic swimmer Stephanie Rice has landed herself in some hot water for -- wearing a racy bathing suit.

The three-time gold medalist is on the receiving end of some less than laudatory press from the Australian media for using Instagram to upload a pic of herself wearing a fashionable -- if a tad skimpy -- swimsuit.

Wait, WHAT?

So, she wears a small swimsuit - what's the crime here?

Some Twitter followers lambasted Rice for being a disgrace to the Australian swim team, (um, how exactly?) and some people chastised the Olympian for wearing a non-Speedo suit since the company had long endorsed her.

When speaking to Adelaidenow.com, Rice's reps debunked that theory: "No, Stephanie isn't an ambassador for Ellie Gonsalves, she just loves their stuff. She doesn't have any relationship with Speedo anymore so there are no restrictions there.''

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The decorated swimmer is set to competen when next month's 2012 Olympic Games get underway in London.  No word yet on what she'll be wearing (like that matters AT all).