‘‘No, never,’’ Rice told The Examiner.

‘‘To me it is a step backwards in my personal view of my career.

‘‘I wouldn’t want to step backwards – I’ve worked so hard to move forward past swimming.

‘‘I did everything I could in the sport.’’

Rice officially confirmed her retirement in April 2014 after crashing out in the 2012 London Olympics, failing to win a medal, including her pet 200m individual medley.

She broke down moments after the final and was left visibly shattered when reporters asked her about her swimming future.

Four years earlier, instead of tears there was triumph when – at just 20–- the Queenslander won Olympic gold in the 200m and 400m individual medleys and the 4x200m freestyle relay.

‘‘I definitely still miss the competing and I miss the intensity of having to perform at that one moment in four years – and I loved and lived for that,’’ Rice said.

The 27-year-old admitted that handling retirement had been a tough journey.

‘‘Everything in my life has changed, from the times I slept, how much I exercised, what I eat and when I eat, so it’s almost like re-birthing who I am,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s not Stephanie Rice the swimmer, but Stephanie Rice the blank and now filling in what that is.’’

Rice has taking on mentoring roles ‘‘on inspiring and giving back’’ to young swimmers through her own stories and experiences.

She is keeping a keen eye on the Australian swimming squad for the Rio Olympics next year, but is holding off on a prediction in the wake of a disappointing campaign in London.

Australia finished seventh on the swimming medals tally, collecting just one gold, six silver and three bronze, falling some 15 golds and 21 medals behind rivals the United States.

‘‘I think we’ll see in the trials how the team has progressed,’’ Rice said.

‘‘There is a lot of new people coming through, so I think that’s exciting to see younger kids come through and perform at the Olympic level but I’ll have a better idea in a few months time.’’