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11 months ago
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Olympic gold medallist Stephanie Rice has used a video featuring some of her lowest points to respond to online trolls who savaged her over her move to start a new life in Dubai.
The champion swimmer copped the abuse when she posted an emotional clip of herself sitting in first class as she left Australia last week.
'Packed up my whole live (sic) in Australia, bought a one-way ticket to Dubai to start a new chapter and I'm feeling all the emotions surrounding this fresh start … but God is good,' Rice captioned the video.
The 35-year-old's post sparked a backlash from critics.
'Was this your third or fourth take of the video,' one person commented.
'Must be so hard getting great opportunities and flying first class,' said another.
Rice's video hitting back at trolls featured a clip from the emotional video she posted during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 (pictured)
The gold medallist also included footage of her smiling in happier times (pictured) as she shared a kind message to her haters
'Nothing says 'I'm not bragging' like filming yourself in first class on an international flight,' said a third.
On Wednesday night Rice posted a new Instagram video featuring clips of her crying as she hit low points in her life, footage from her stint on the SAS Australia reality TV show and happier moments.
The post was accompanied by the words: 'We've all been broken at some point, som more than others... but never let that dampen your ability to shine love out into the world and onto others.
'I see the negative comments on my recent posts, but what I feel is the hurt that must be behind those comments.'
Rice then went on to open up about her new dedication to religion.
'My commitment to God is a new walk for me, I have fears, I have doubts, I have concerns... but I also know that the way I was moving through life before is not how I want to go forward,' she wrote.
'So to those struggling, stand strong, walk proud, you've come so far. Honour your journey, wounds and all…it's made you into the beautiful soul you are today.'
Rice has re-started her life by packing up and moving to Dubai (pictured)
The 35-year-old also opened up about her new commitment to religion in the post, saying 'the way I was moving through life before is not how I want to go forward'
The post was met with overwhelmingly positive comments from her followers on Instagram.
The Olympic Gold Medalist appeared on Channel 7's SAS Australia earlier in the year where she spoke out about her struggles since retiring from swimming.
'I felt really lost after I finished swimming,' she said.
'I didn't feel like I had any purpose or any direction and I didn't feel like anybody understood.
'I felt like I haven't really trained for anything since I finished competing – like I haven't really had a goal to work towards, one specific thing.'
She previously revealed that she suffered from anxiety and depression that left her feeling 'lost and confused', with the condition worsening when there was a major swimming competition taking place.
English (US)