Update: Evan Lysacek "Having Fun" With Fellow Olympian Nastia Liukin

Gold medal romance -- or just friends?

Following a statement Monday morning that Evan Lysacek was dating gymnastics Olympian Nastia Liukin, a rep for the men's figure skating champ clarifies to UsMagazine.com:

"He is single. They are friends. They've gone to some events together, are hanging out and having fun."

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Of earlier comments that they pair were dating? "With young people who knows what 'dating' really is?" the rep explains. "It gets confusing!"

Lycasek, 24, tells UsMagazine.com that he first met Liukin "a couple years ago doing a skating and gymnastics show for NBC...She's been right by my side through this last year and really helped me with everything that's going on."

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The newly-crowned champ (the first U.S. man to win a figure-skating gold medal in 22 years) adds that Liukin, 20, is "a great support support system for me." (Liukin triumped at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.)

"With Nastia, there's no pressure," the rep says. "She's a gold medalist, too, so she gets how crazy the schedules can be."

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Prior to Liukin, Lycasek dated Tanith Belbin -- a Canadian-American ice dancer who won a silver medal for the U.S. at the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy -- for three years. "He hasn't been serious with anyone since then," his rep explains.