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Rebecca Adlington

Rebecca Adlington OBE (born 17 February 1989) is an English former competitive swimmer who specialised in freestyle events in international competition. She won two gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 400-metre freestyle and 800-metre freestyle, breaking the 19-year-old world record of Janet Evans in the 800-metre final. Adlington was Britain's first Olympic swimming champion since 1988, and the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals since 1908.[2] After winning her first World Championship gold over 800 metres in 2011, along with silver in the 400 metres at the same meet, she won bronze medals in both the women's 400-metre and 800-metre freestyle events in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Adlington is one of the few people to have won Olympic Games, World Championships, European championships and Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Rebecca Adlington
OBE
Adlington in the Our Greatest Team Parade
Personal information
Full nameRebecca Adlington
National team Great Britain
Born (1989-02-17) 17 February 1989 (age 35)
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England
Height5 ft 10 in (179 cm)[1]
Weight11 st 0 lb; 154 lb (70 kg)[1]
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubNova Centurion
CoachBill Furniss
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing  Great Britain
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 2 0 2
World Championships (LC) 1 1 2
World Championships (SC) 1 1 0
European Championships (LC) 1 1 1
Commonwealth Games 2 0 2
Total 7 3 7
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 2008 Beijing 800 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2012 London 400 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2012 London 800 m freestyle
World Championships (LC)
Gold medal – first place 2011 Shanghai 800 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 2011 Shanghai 400 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Rome 400 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2009 Rome 4×200 m freestyle
World Championships (SC)
Gold medal – first place 2008 Manchester 800 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 2008 Manchester 4×200 m freestyle
European Championships (LC)
Gold medal – first place 2010 Budapest 400 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 2006 Budapest 800 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Budapest 4×200 m freestyle
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 2010 Delhi 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 2010 Delhi 800 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Delhi 200 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Delhi 4×200 m freestyle

On 5 February 2013, Adlington retired from all competitive swimming at the age of 23.[3] Since retiring as a competitor, she has worked for BBC TV as a swimming pundit at the Olympic Games and World Aquatics Championships, and made various other media appearances. Adlington is also one of a number of former sports stars behind a commercial group dedicated to providing coaching and leisure outlets.

Early life and education

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Rebecca Adlington was born on 17 February 1989 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, where she attended The Brunts School.[4] In 2009, she was one of 94 from "the world of aquatics" to benefit from the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence award (AASE), intended to recognise potential elite athletes with the opportunity for integrated academic achievement whilst continuing with training for competition.[5]

Adlington started swimming with Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club,[6] and was selected for the Nottinghamshire County Elite Squad (Nova Centurion Swimming Club).[7][8][9] She swam in local swimming leagues for Nottingham Leander Swimming Club, having taken part in the National Speedo 'B' Final in May 2010.[10] Adlington's great-uncle was Terry Adlington, former goalkeeper with Derby County.[11] and she is a keen Derby supporter.

Competitive career

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Adlington represented Great Britain in the 2008 Summer Olympics, competing in the 400-metre freestyle and 800-metre freestyle events. She was also scheduled to swim in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay but was rested in the heat and the team failed to qualify for the final. In the heats of the 400-metre freestyle, she broke the Commonwealth record with a time of 4:02.24.[12] On 11 August 2008, she won an Olympic gold medal in the same event, with a time of 4:03.22, overtaking Katie Hoff of the United States in the last 20 metres.[13] She was the first woman to win swimming gold for Great Britain since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960.[14] She was the first British swimmer to win more than one gold medal at a single Olympic Games since Henry Taylor won three in 1908.[15]

In 2009, Adlington said she suffered with the expectation placed on her ahead of the World Aquatics Championships in Rome, and although she swam a personal best she won only bronze in the 400-metre freestyle. She added a second bronze in the 4×200-metre freestyle. In her favourite event, the 800-metre freestyle she gained fourth place.

In 2010, Adlington won the 400-metre freestyle at the European Swimming Championships in Budapest but again failed to win a medal in her favoured 800-metre freestyle, finishing seventh. She won bronze as part of the 4×200-metre freestyle relay team.

At the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, she won a "bonus" bronze medal in the 200-metre freestyle, and was part of the English record setting 4×200-metre freestyle relay team that also won bronze. In the 800-metre freestyle, Adlington led from start to finish to win her first Commonwealth Games gold medal. In the 400-metre freestyle, Adlington won comfortably to earn a second gold medal and repeat her Olympic double. She ended the season ranked No. 2 in the 400-metre freestyle and No. 1 in the 800-metre freestyle.

At the 2011 World Aquatics Championships, Adlington won the 800-metre freestyle gold medal, beating Lotte Friis over the final 50 metres, and silver in the 400-metre freestyle behind world record-holder Federica Pellegrini of Italy.[16]

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Adlington won bronze in the 400-metre freestyle in a time of 4:03.01.[17] and another bronze in the women's 800-metre freestyle in a time of 8:20.32. After the Games, Adlington said that she would no longer undertake the 800-metre race, and would not compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.[18]

Records set

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Adlington set a new British, Commonwealth, European and Olympic record of 8:18.06 in the preliminary heats of the women's 800-metre freestyle on 14 August 2008. She went on to win the Olympic 800-metre freestyle final on 16 August 2008 in a world record time of 8:14.10, her second gold of the tournament, a full six seconds ahead of the silver medallist, and two seconds ahead of the former world record which had been set by Janet Evans when Adlington was 6 months old. At the time, this was swimming's longest standing world record.[19]

Personal bests and records held

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Long course (50 m)
Event Time


Date Meet Location Ref
200 m freestyle 1:56.66 5 Apr 2008 British Championships Sheffield, United Kingdom
400 m freestyle 4:00.79 26 Jul 2009 2009 World Championships Rome, Italy
800 m freestyle 8:14.10 ER 16 Aug 2008 Olympic Games Beijing, China
400 m individual medley 4:56.34 11 Jun 2006 Mare Nostrum Barcelona, Spain
Short course (25 m)
Event Time


Date Meet Location Ref
200 m freestyle 1:59.25 3 Apr 2006 Nottinghamshire Championships Nottingham, United Kingdom
400 m freestyle 3:59.04 18 Dec 2009 Duel in the Pool Manchester, United Kingdom
800 m freestyle 8:08.25 CR 10 Apr 2008 World SC Championships Manchester, United Kingdom
Legend: WR – World record; ER – European record; CR – Commonwealth record; NR – British record;
Records not set in finals: h – heat; sf – semifinal; r – relay 1st leg; rh – relay heat 1st leg; b – B final; † – en route to final mark; tt – time trial

Recognition

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Adlington on an open-top bus outside of Mansfield Town Hall after parading around Mansfield town centre streets in 2008
 
Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre in November 2017

Adlington was welcomed home to Mansfield in August 2008 by thousands of people who lined the streets to applaud as she passed by in an open top bus and then appeared at a ceremony at Mansfield Town Hall.[20]

In 2008 after her post-Olympic homecoming, in a special ceremony at Mansfield's Civic Centre headquarters, Adlington was presented with a pair of gold-coloured Jimmy Choo shoes by Tony Egginton, then the executive mayor.[21][22]

In November 2008, Adlington was named as the Sports Journalists' Association's Sportswoman of the Year, receiving her trophy at a ceremony in the City of London from the Princess Royal, herself a former winner of that award. On 14 December 2008, she was voted third in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

Adlington was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours list,[23][24] which she received from The Queen at Buckingham Palace in June 2009.[25]

In December 2009 she received an honorary Master of Arts degree from the University of Nottingham in recognition of her outstanding contribution to British sport.[26]

The Sherwood Swimming Baths in Adlington's hometown of Mansfield, where she began swimming as a child, was renamed the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre when it reopened after refurbishment in January 2010.[27][28] The Yates Bar in Mansfield was renamed the Adlington Arms in her honour.[disputed (for: After a 2022 deletion, prose implies the name is still Adlington Arms)  – discuss][29]

The 2012 Olympic torch relay was routed through Mansfield Woodhouse where it was affected by a heavy thunderstorm before a scheduled lunch break at the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre.[30][31][32][33]

In 2013 soon after her retirement from competition, Adlington was named as the inaugural inductee into Nottinghamshire County Council's Roll of Honour.[34]

One of the Class 395 high-speed trains operated by Southeastern, used to provide a 140-mph London-to-Kent link and the Javelin shuttle service for visitors to the 2012 London Olympic Games, was named after Adlington.[35] Several other British Olympians also received this honour.

Tram 231 on the Nottingham Tram system was named after Adlington in 2016.[36][37]

Television

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Adlington was a guest panellist on the ITV lunchtime chat show Loose Women on 25 March, 17 April and 22 May 2014. She was a contestant in Series 3 of The Jump, but withdrew on 7 February 2016 having dislocated her shoulder during training.[38]

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, Adlington formed part of the BBC presenting team for the swimming events, along with Helen Skelton and Mark Foster. She repeated this role at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, the 2018 European Championships, and the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo among others.

I'm a Celebrity...

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Main article: I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!

Adlington participated in the thirteenth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, which began airing on 17 November 2013 and was held in Australia.[39] She finished in 6th place, being voted out by the public on 6 December 2013.

Guest appearances

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Commercial coaching and leisure outlets

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Together with former sports personalities Steve Parry and Adrian Turner, Adlington is part of Total Swimming Group, a commercial group dedicated to providing coaching and leisure outlets. JD Sports bought-in during 2022, acquiring a 60% stake.[40] Subsequent to COVID-19 lockdown and the energy crisis with 2021–2023 global energy crisis, Adlington joined with approximately 200 others forming a pressure group calling for the UK energy subsidy, the energy price cap ending by April 2023, to be continued to help the energy-hungry swimming pools to survive potential closures.[41]

Personal life

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In 2005, Adlington's sister was affected by encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Her sister recovered over time, but its impact inspired Adlington to say in 2012: "It made me more determined. It makes me train harder".[42] Adlington became an Ambassador of the Encephalitis Society in 2009, to help raise awareness of the illness.[43]

In 2009, comedian Frankie Boyle was censured by the BBC Trust's Editorial Standards Committee for breaching guidelines by using "humiliating and offensive" remarks with "unnecessary innuendo" during a 2008 edition of Mock The Week broadcast on BBC 2, when he jibed at Adlington's appearance. Adlington's mother criticised the BBC for making the ruling public, which had caused her daughter more distress.[44][45][46][47](registration required)[48]

In 2014, Adlington married former swimmer Harry Needs.[49] The couple had a daughter together, born in 2015.[50] In March 2016, Adlington announced her separation from Needs.

On 4 March 2021, Adlington and her boyfriend, Andy Parsons, announced the birth of their son. She announced on 5 September 2021 that the couple had married.[51] In August 2022, she suffered a miscarriage and underwent emergency surgery.[52]

In October 2023, Adlington announced she had a miscarriage and was given the news at the 20 week scan. She gave birth to Harper on 20 October 2023, at Wythenshawe Hospital.[53][54]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Rebecca Adlington's profile at the Olympic Games 2012 official site". London2012.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Video review – Adlington is GB's golden girl". BBC Sport. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  3. ^ "Rebecca Adlington: Time right to retire from swimming". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
  4. ^ "Open top bus parade to salute double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington". Mansfield Chad. 17 August 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008.
  5. ^ Apprenticeship award for Becky. Chad, 25 March, 2009, p.16. Accessed 26 March 2020
  6. ^ "Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club".
  7. ^ "NOVA Centurion Swimming Club – Nottingham". 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Notts. ASA".
  9. ^ Swimming club that trained Rebecca Adlington and Ollie Hynd to face major changes in Mansfield Chad, 16 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022
  10. ^ "Nottingham Leander Swimming Club".
  11. ^ "A long and winding road". This is South Devon. 23 October 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Adlington sets sights on GB medal". BBC Sport. 10 August 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  13. ^ "Adlington snatches swimming gold". BBC Sport. 11 August 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  14. ^ Anita Lonsbrough (11 August 2008). "Rebecca Adlington wins gold on a rewarding day for Britain – Beijing Olympics 2008". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 14 August 2008. Retrieved 11 August 2008.
  15. ^ Will Buckley (17 August 2008). "Olympics: 'Dame' Rebecca arises with second gold". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 31 August 2008.
  16. ^ "14th FINA World Championships; Women's 800m Freestyle; Final Results" (PDF). Omega Timing. 30 July 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ "Rebecca Adlington wins Olympics swimming bronze behind Muffat". Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  18. ^ "Rebecca Adlington rules out competing at 2016 Olympics in Rio". BBC Sport. 23 September 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  19. ^ "Adlington storms to second gold". BBC Sport. 16 August 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2008.
  20. ^ "Golden girl brings pride to town". BBC. 27 August 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  21. ^ Golden shoes and Adlington mania greet returning Olympic double medal winner The Guardian, 26 August 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2022
  22. ^ Olympic swimmer given golden Jimmy Choos Marie Claire, 27 August 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2022
  23. ^ "No. 58929". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2008. p. 8.
  24. ^ "Hoy knighted in New Year honours". BBC News. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2008.
  25. ^ "Olympic heroine Becky collects OBE from Queen". Chad, 10 June 2009, p.85. Accessed 30 April 2024
  26. ^ Adlington given honorary degree BBC News, 9 December 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2018
  27. ^ "Mansfield to honour Olympic hero". Mansfield District Council. 11 August 2008. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  28. ^ "Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre". Mansfield District Council. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
  29. ^ "Adlington Arms awaits golden girl". The Independent. London. 26 August 2008. Archived from the original on 22 April 2013. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  30. ^ Olympic torch: Torvill and Dean skate with 2012 flame BBC News, 28 June 2012. Retrieved 2022
  31. ^ Live: Olympic Torch Relay Day 41 — Lincoln to Nottingham The Times, 28 June 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021, due to (registration required). Retrieved 3 February 2022
  32. ^ More from the Mayor. The big news this week is the announcement of the route the Olympic Torch will take through our District on 28 June. Chad, 21 March 2012, p.10. Accessed 3 February 2022
  33. ^ Olympic flame to light up Mansfield. Chad, 21 March 2012, pp.6-7. Accessed 4 february 2022
  34. ^ "Awards celebrate sporting success". Chad, 20 February, 2013, p.28. Retrieved 8 September 2022
  35. ^ "First Class 395 'Javelin' named at Ashford International" (PDF), Railway Herald (195): 6, 28 September 2009
  36. ^ Swim ace's tram honour. Chad, 11 May 2016, p.29. Accessed 12 January 2022
  37. ^ Each one of our trams is named after a local hero of the past or present, retrieved 28 July 2021
  38. ^ Ben Lee (7 February 2016). "The Jump: Rebecca Adlington quits over dislocated shoulder, and Heather Mills is replacing her". Digital Spy.
  39. ^ Denham, Jess (13 November 2013). "I'm A Celebrity 2013 contestants: Rebecca Adlington to join Joey Essex in the jungle". The Independent. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  40. ^ JD Sports acquires 60% stake in Rebecca Adlington’s Total Swimming Group retailgazette.co.uk, 22 June 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023
  41. ^ UK activity sector rises up to battle for energy support with 200-strong letter to PM www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk, 23 February, 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023
  42. ^ "My Sister's Brush With Death Inspires Me". The Telegraph. 6 February 2012.
  43. ^ "Gold medal swimmer and TV star officially launch charity HQ". The Press. York. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  44. ^ "'Comedy ruling should have stayed private'". Chad, 4 November 2009, p.13. Accessed 17 September 2022
  45. ^ Rebecca Adlington slams BBC over Frankie Boyle rebuke The Independent, 2 November 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2022
  46. ^ Funnyman Frankie Boyle hits back at criticism over joke about Rebecca Adlington Daily Record, 28 October 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2022
  47. ^ Rebecca Adlington: I'm over the Frankie Boyle spoon jibe The Telegraph, 14 June 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2022
  48. ^ Frankie Boyle reprises his ugly attack on swimmer Rebecca Adlington The Guardian, 30 July 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2022
  49. ^ 'I'm happy I'm marrying the love of my life': A slim Rebecca Adlington weds Harry Needs Daily Express, 8 September 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2015
  50. ^ Rebecca Adlington takes baby Summer swimming Manchester Evening News, 1 August 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015
  51. ^ Rebecca Adlington announces birth of baby son Albie Nottinghamshire Live, 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021
  52. ^ Jackson, Marie (27 August 2022). "Rebecca Adlington speaks of devastation after miscarriage". BBC. Retrieved 27 August 2022.
  53. ^ "Rebecca Adlington reveals late miscarriage of baby daughter, saying she is 'truly heartbroken'". Sky News. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  54. ^ "Rebecca Adlington reveals miscarriage heartbreak". BBC News. 23 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rebecca Adlington.
Records
Preceded by Women's 800 metres freestyle
world record holder (long course)
16 August 2008 – 3 August 2013 		Succeeded by
Awards
Preceded by European Swimmer of the Year
2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Laureus World Sports
Breakthrough of the Year
2009 		Succeeded by
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