Rebecca Adlington image

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

Chatsworth House thumbnail image

Chatsworth House

The heritage and beauty of the Heart of the Midlands brings visitors from the world over

Read more
Raleigh Chopper Bike thumbnail image

Raleigh Chopper Bike

Innovation is at the Heart of the Midlands, including the creation of the Raleigh chopper bike!

Read more
Paul Smith thumbnail image

Paul Smith

Leadership, Investment in People, Retail Innovation and International Business - Paul Smith represents all that's great about the Heart of the Midlands spirit.

Read more
Robin Hood thumbnail image

Robin Hood

Culture, Diversity, Getting on and Giving back is at the Heart of the Midlands with Robin Hood

Read more