Melbourne, November 20 : Rumours are rife that a picture of golden girl Stephanie Rice in this month's Inside Sport magazine was digitally treated to trim down her post-Olympic figure.

The journal, however, claims that artificial treatment was not used for giving Rice a slim figure in the picture.

Graem Sims, the magazine's editor, said that the image was only manipulated to "make her skintone look consistent", not to artificially trim down Rice's post-Olympic frame.

"There was not much (air-brushing) to it, we didn't really need to, she's such a stunning girl," the Daily Telegraph quoted Sims as saying.

Rice's manager Chris White, of International Quarterback agency, said that the swimmer had "approved the image".

George Favios, the Fashion photographer who clicked the photo during the Brisbane shoot on Derby Day this month, said that he simply "delivered the shots".

He did not say anything on who was responsible for the digital touch-up.

ANI