Triple Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice close to making a comeback

Sydney, Feb 3(ANI): Triple Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice could make a come back to the competition, for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery at next week's New South Wales State Swimming Championships in Sydney.

She underwent arthroscopic surgery in December to fix a torn tendon in her right shoulder, which scuppered her build-up towards the March Olympic trials in Adelaide.

Rice would compete in four events at the Sydney Olympic Park from February 10 to 12.

Coach Michael Bohl said Rice will only compete if she securely negotiates a heavy block of training over the next week.

"We'll just see how it's holding together. If she can't swim at the meet we'll just push ahead to trials nonetheless," The Age quoted Bohl, as saying.

Bohl also said no risk would be taken with her if she feels any pain during swimming.

"We certainly won't be risking her flaring her shoulder up at a swim meet if we don't feel that it's right," he added. (ANI)