
Rebecca Adlington
Rebecca "Becky" Adlington, OBE, is a British former competitive swimmer who specialised in freestyle events in international competition.
Rebecca Adlington Olympic Champion is born
Born February 17, 1989 in Mansfield, England. She first got into swimming at the age of 3 when her parents wanted her to learn a life skill.
Becky fell in love with it straight away and knew that she wanted to be a swimmer. Adlington made her senior British debut at the 2006 European Championships in Hungary, winning 800m freestyle silver.
2008 Summer Olympics Rebecca Adlington became a household name
In the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics, Adlington was not expected to win a medal. At just 19, she won two golds, and instantly became a household name after winning the double gold. The two gold medals were the 400-metre freestyle and 800-metre freestyle, breaking the world record of Janet Evans in the 800-metre final. Evans's 800-metre record was one of the longest-standing ones ever in swimming, and it went unbroken through four Olympic Games (1992–2004). Adlington set the new record with her time of 8:14.10.
Britain's first female swimmer to win Olympic gold since 1960
To honour the Mansfield swimming stars, local councillor renamed 'Sherwood Baths' in Mansfield Woodhouse, where she learned to swim, the “Rebecca Adlington Swim Centre” when it was refurbished in 2009. Mansfield Mayor Tony Egginton has said Adlington is "a marvellous ambassador for the district".
Rebecca Adlington Beijing 2008 400 meters Gold medal. Rebecca Adlington shows tremendous maturity to set a new world record in the women's 800M freestyle swimming at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
"An extra special bonus in my career came when breaking the World Record in the 800m freestyle in 2008. The record was 19 years old, the same age I was in Beijing; it was the highlight of my swimming career and a stand out moment for me personally. I still can’t believe I get to say I’m the greatest swimmer that Great Britain has ever produced!"
Rebecca "Becky" Adlington OBE
The New Year Honours List 2009 was announced on 31 December 2008 and on June 2nd 2009 Becky was awarded an OBE from HRH, her Majesty the Queen, for services to sport.
Team GB at London Olympic Games in and the 'Becky Adlington' legacy
The motto of the 2012 Olympics was to ‘inspire a generation‘, a legacy which inspired Adlington to set up her own 'learn to swim' program. With a mission to see every child in the UK leave primary school being able to swim 25 metres. As a result there are now 10,000 children a week learning to swim ‘the Becky way’ through 'Becky Adlington programmes' across the country. They are having an even bigger impact on the swimming community too within Becky Adlington Training by getting more swimming teachers qualified.
2004 - wins 800m gold at European Junior Championships
2006 - wins silver in senior international debut at European Championships in Budapest
11 August, 2008 - wins 400m freestyle Olympic gold in Beijing
16 August, 2008 - wins 800m freestyle Olympic gold in a world record of 8:14:10
October 2010 - wins double Commonwealth Games gold in Delhi
July 2011 - wins 800m gold and 400m silver at World Championships in Shanghai
29 July 2012 - wins 400m bronze at London Olympics
(Becky qualified for the 400m and 800m freestyle events for London 2012, setting then world-leading times in both at the start of the trials at the Aquatics Centre in March, and then took home bronze in both events at the Olympic Games.)
3 August 2012 - wins 800m bronze at London Olympics
5 February 2013 - retires from swimming
Rebecca Adlington being interviewed after winning the Women's 400M Freestyle Final. Recorded from BBC1 on Monday 11th August 2008,
Rebecca Adlington - Why I love swimming.
The Olympic champion on the Commonwealth Games, changing disciplines and her hopes for London 2012
Rebecca Adlington talks after winning her second bronze medal of London 2012 in the 800m event.
Rebecca Adlington live on stage at Mansfield town talking about how she thought she did in the London 2012 Olympic.
British Swimming's "golden girl" retired from competitive swimming
With four Olympic medals, two gold and two bronze, Rebecca Adlington retired from competition as Britain's most decorated swimmer. Her career may have ended in tears of sadness rather than joy after she finished third in the Olympic 800m freestyle final, but Adlington's status and legacy was secured long before she touched the wall for the final time at London 2012.
Rebecca the TV personality - I'm a celebrity get me out of here!
Becky in the jungle: To attempt to gain immunity and win stars for camp the celebs must try and move keys through a a maze to unlock them from a bug invested crate.
Becky shows her inner sensitive side and a nation rallies to support her
Rebecca Adlington talks about the launch of her new fitness and nutritional website
Rebecca Adlington On Her Olympic Diet | Good Morning Britain
"Since retiring from swimming, I have enjoyed challenging myself and exploring different avenues. I have loved taking part in a variety of TV shows – From I'm a Celeb in 2013, to The jump in 2016 and Masterchef in 2017. I was thrilled to become part of the BBC punditry team in 2013."
Rebecca Adlington www.rebeccaadlington.co.uk

David Attenborough
The Heart of the Midlands is at the centre of the environmental debate, his leadership on this subject has changed popular thinking and changed behaviour.
Read more
Carl Froch
Culture, Diversity, Leadership and Investment in self belief, Carl Froch represents the Heart of the Midlands mindset
Read more
Raleigh Chopper Bike
Innovation is at the Heart of the Midlands, including the creation of the Raleigh chopper bike!
Read more
East Midlands Gateway
East Midlands Gateway is putting international business at the Heart of the Midlands, connecting East Midlands to major UK ports, taking more freight off the roads
Read more