Michael Phelps' Girlfriend Revealed; Megan Rossee's Father Slams Gold Digger Claims (PHOTO)
Michael Phelps been celebrating his 18th Olympic Gold medal win with his girlfriend, Los Angeles-based model Megan Rossee it has been revealed.
The 27-year-old swimmer stepped out alongside Rossee at the Speedo Athlete Celebration at Kensington Roof Gardens in London on Aug. 6, which immediately sparked criticisms about their relationship.
Rossee, 25, has not tried to hide the relationship and instead has been regularly posting her support for Phelps, whom she also accompanied to the Olympic Trials in Omaha on June 28. She posted her support on social networking site Twitter.
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Her frequent tweets have led to speculation that she may be using the Olympic champion for publicity- something her father, Wayne Rossee, recently denied.
"[Megan] had a career in her own right before she ever met Michael. In fact, she put things on hold to support him and go to London like he asked her to. She is not with him to be famous, she doesn't need that from him," Wayne told RumorFix.com.
Wayne's statement was in response to a report on RadarOnline.com, in which a source accused Rossee of basking in his limelight.
"Michael is like a puppy dog around Megan- he's completely in love with her. However, like any young girl hoping to make it in Hollywood, she's ambitious and knows that by associating herself with Michael, she will get a lot of press herself," a source reportedly told RadarOnline.com.
"She's desperate for her own fame- her career has been a slow-burner, but this will certainly accelerate it," the insider added.
In one of her tweets, Rossee revealed what fans suspect is her pet name for Phelps, who recently won his 22nd career medal at the 2012 London Games.
"Good luck tonight bear '@MichaelPhelps: Last prelim swim complete… 2 big ones tonight… Nap time now…'" Rossee tweeted on Aug 2.
According to reports, the pair has been dating for more than six months and the relationship has become more serious in recent weeks.
"She and Phelps began dating in January (2012) and things started to heat up just prior to the Olympics," a source told Hollyscoop.com.
"Michael knew that he had to leave for the Olympics and not wanting to give up on their relationship, he flew Megan out to the trials in Omaha and then to London for the Games," the source added.
Phelps has had a successful during the London Games, winning Gold for the 200-meter individual medley, the 100-meter butterfly, and the 4 × 100-meter medley relay.
The international swimming federation FINA honored Phelps with an award commemorating his standing as the most decorated Olympian ever after his final event.
