Kobe Bryant might have been swapping training methods with Stephanie Rice

As a picture of Kobe Bryant and Stephanie Rice sitting next to each other at the Olympic velodrome made it's round on the web and set off whispers but the NBA superstar revealed a more innocent explanation.

One of the Game's biggest stars, Bryant, has been spotted at a variety of venues around the Olympics including the volleyball at Earl's Court - but Kobe says it's just him soaking in the Games atmosphere.

"I try to get out as much as I possibly can and go and see as many events as I can."

"I've had the pleasure of meeting a lot of athletes. I try and interact with them and learn how they train, how they prepare and how they deal with pressure."

"For me that's fun. That's the fun part about being at the Olympics. I really enjoy walking through the Olympic Park - I kind of end up in a speed walk right through but yesterday I got a chance to go see some events."

"I saw Chris Hoy and I also got to see Victoria Pendleton and Anna Meares in their big showdown."

Rice followed up her night at the velodrome with Kobe by appearing at the North Greenwich Arena to watch Australia's Boomers take on Kobe's Dream Team.

She was joined by a large contingent of Australian athletes who had finished their competitions.

Earlier in the evening basketball star LeBron James made his way quietly into the arena and wore headphones as he watched Brazil play Argentina in their knockout quarter final.

James eventually headed back to the shelter of his team's changing rooms after members of the public caught on and chased the Heat forward for photographs.