ANI

New York, May 7: Swimming sensation Stephanie Rice has been named the sexiest sportswoman in the world. Rice came in at No.30 in FHM magazine's 100 sexiest women in the world in 2009, pipping Serbian tennis starlet Ana Ivanovic (32) for sport's top spot.

The men's mag says Rice has 'a body honed to perfection', reports the Daily Telegraph. Soccer and cricket star Ellyse Perry was placed at No. 82 by the magazine's readers, and Jelena Dokic at 93.

The International Swimming Federation's newly formed commission assembles in Lausanne next week to decide which hi-tech swimsuits will be legal for the world titles in Rome, after an influx of new brands and new technology destabilised the sport in the past year.

On the advice of her coach Michael Bohl, Rice refrained from taking the money on offer from the manufacturers to an athlete of her stature.

"I think Speedo and Arena are both very keen to sign her, but I think signing early would have been crazy. She won't sign a deal now until after the world championships where they will decide what the rules are for 2010," he added.