Rebecca Adlington
{{Short description|English swimmer (born 1990)}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox swimmer
| name = Rebecca Adlington
OBE
| image = Becky Adlington2012 Olympic Parade.jpg
| image_size = 175
| alt =
| caption = Adlington in the Our Greatest Team Parade
| fullname = Rebecca Adlington
| national_team = {{GBR2}}
| strokes = Freestyle
| club = Nova Centurion
| coach = Bill Furniss
| collegeteam =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1989|02|17}}
| birth_place = Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England
| death_place =
| height = {{convert|179|cm|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=http://www.london2012.com/athlete/adlington-rebecca-1062467 |title=Rebecca Adlington's profile at the Olympic Games 2012 official site |publisher=London2012.com |access-date=22 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402001834/http://www.london2012.com/athlete/adlington-rebecca-1062467/ |archive-date=2 April 2013 }}
| weight = {{convert|70|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport | Women's swimming}}
{{MedalCountry |{{GBR2}}}}
{{MedalCount
|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
}}
{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}
{{MedalGold|2008 Beijing|400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold|2008 Beijing|800 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze|2012 London|400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze|2012 London|800 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships (LC)}}
{{MedalGold|2011 Shanghai|800 m freestyle}}
{{MedalSilver|2011 Shanghai|400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze|2009 Rome|400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze|2009 Rome|4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Championships (SC)}}
{{MedalGold|2008 Manchester|800 m freestyle}}
{{MedalSilver|2008 Manchester|4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCompetition|European Championships (LC)}}
{{MedalGold|2010 Budapest |400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalSilver|2006 Budapest|800 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze|2010 Budapest| 4×200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ENG}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|Commonwealth Games}}
{{MedalGold|2010 Delhi|400 m freestyle}}
{{MedalGold|2010 Delhi|800 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze|2010 Delhi|200 m freestyle}}
{{MedalBronze|2010 Delhi|4×200 m freestyle}}
}}
Rebecca Adlington {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/swimming/7579833.stm |title=Video review – Adlington is GB's golden girl |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 August 2008|access-date=5 September 2008}} 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.
On 5 February 2013, Adlington retired from all competitive swimming at the age of 23.{{cite news|title=Rebecca Adlington: Time right to retire from swimming|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/swimming/21334824|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=5 February 2013}} 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
Rebecca Adlington was born on 17 February 1989 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, where she attended The Brunts School.{{cite web |url=http://www.chad.co.uk/adlington/Open-top-bus-parade-to.4398219.jp |title=Open top bus parade to salute double Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington |access-date=18 August 2008|publisher=Mansfield Chad |date=17 August 2008}} 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.Apprenticeship award for Becky. Chad, 25 March 2009, p.16. Accessed 26 March 2020
Adlington started swimming with Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club,{{cite web |url=http://www.sherwoodswimmingclub.com |title=Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club}}{{failed verification|date=March 2025|reason=target website does not mention Adlington}} and was selected for the Nottinghamshire County Elite Squad (Nova Centurion Swimming Club).{{Cite web|url=http://www.novacenturion.co.uk/index.php/2012-06-07-10-00-13/2012-06-07-10-00-33|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717033042/http://www.novacenturion.co.uk/index.php/2012-06-07-10-00-13/2012-06-07-10-00-33|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 July 2014|title=NOVA Centurion Swimming Club – Nottingham|date=17 July 2014|access-date=12 September 2018}}{{failed verification|date=March 2025|reason=target website does not mention Adlington}}{{cite web |url=http://www.notts-swimming.co.uk |title=Notts. ASA}}{{failed verification|date=March 2025|reason=target website does not mention Adlington}}[https://www.chad.co.uk/news/people/swimming-club-that-trained-rebecca-adlington-and-ollie-hynd-to-face-major-changes-in-mansfield-3807120 Swimming club that trained Rebecca Adlington and Ollie Hynd to face major changes in Mansfield] Chad, 16 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022 She swam in local swimming leagues for Nottingham Leander Swimming Club, having taken part in the National Speedo 'B' Final in May 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.leandersc.com |title=Nottingham Leander Swimming Club}}{{failed verification|date=March 2025|reason=target website does not mention Adlington}} Adlington's great-uncle was Terry Adlington, former goalkeeper with Derby County.{{cite web|url=http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/gulls/long-winding-roadarticle-421633-details/article.html|title=A long and winding road|publisher=This is South Devon|date=23 October 2008|access-date=27 July 2009}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and she is a keen Derby supporter.
Competitive career
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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/swimming/7552579.stm |title=Adlington sets sights on GB medal |access-date=11 August 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2008}} 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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/swimming/7553179.stm |title=Adlington snatches swimming gold |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2008|access-date=11 August 2008}} She was the first woman to win swimming gold for Great Britain since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2538665/Rebecca-Adlington-wins--gold-on-a-rewarding-day-for-Britain---Beijing-Olympics-2008.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080814211814/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2538665/Rebecca-Adlington-wins--gold-on-a-rewarding-day-for-Britain---Beijing-Olympics-2008.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 August 2008 |author=Anita Lonsbrough |title=Rebecca Adlington wins gold on a rewarding day for Britain – Beijing Olympics 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=11 August 2008|access-date=11 August 2008}} 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.{{cite news |title=Olympics: 'Dame' Rebecca arises with second gold |work=The Guardian |author=Will Buckley |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/aug/17/olympics2008.rebeccaadlington |date=17 August 2008|access-date=31 August 2008 | location=London}}
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.omegatiming.com/swimming/racearchives/2011/shanghai2011/C73A1_Results%20%28One%20Heat%20-%20Individual%29_132_Heat1_Women_800_Free.pdf|title=14th FINA World Championships; Women's 800m Freestyle; Final Results|date=30 July 2011|publisher=Omega Timing|access-date=1 August 2011}}{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Adlington won bronze in the 400-metre freestyle in a time of 4:03.01.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18904583|title=Rebecca Adlington wins Olympics swimming bronze behind Muffat|access-date=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730233029/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/18904583|archive-date=30 July 2012|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/swimming/19690827 |title=Rebecca Adlington rules out competing at 2016 Olympics in Rio |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 September 2012 |access-date=22 April 2014}}
=Records set=
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.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/swimming/7564653.stm |title=Adlington storms to second gold |access-date=16 August 2008|publisher=BBC Sport |date=16 August 2008}}
==Personal bests and records held==
;Long course (50 m)
{{swimmingpersonalrecordlisttop|meet=yes}}
{{swimmingrecord
|eventsort = 01
|event = 200 m freestyle
|time = 1:56.66
|recordinfo =
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2008|Apr|05}}
|country = UK
|city = Sheffield
|meet = British Championships
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|eventsort = 02
|event = 400 m freestyle
|time = 4:00.79
|recordinfo =
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2009|Jul|26}}
|country = Italy
|city = Rome
|meet = 2009 World Championships
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|eventsort = 03
|event = 800 m freestyle
|time = 8:14.10
|recordinfo = ER
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2008|Aug|16}}
|country = CHN
|city = Beijing
|meet = Olympic Games
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|eventsort = 04
|event = 400 m individual medley
|time = 4:56.34
|recordinfo =
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2006|Jun|11}}
|country = ESP
|city = Barcelona
|meet = Mare Nostrum
}}
{{end}}
;Short course (25 m)
{{swimmingpersonalrecordlisttop|meet=yes}}
{{swimmingrecord
|eventsort = 01
|event = 200 m freestyle
|time = 1:59.25
|recordinfo =
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2006|Apr|03}}
|country = UK
|city = Nottingham
|meet = Nottinghamshire Championships
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|eventsort = 02
|event = 400 m freestyle
|time = 3:59.04
|recordinfo =
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2009|Dec|18}}
|country = UK
|city = Manchester
|meet = Duel in the Pool
}}
{{swimmingrecord
|eventsort = 03
|event = 800 m freestyle
|time = 8:08.25
|recordinfo = CR
|date = {{Dts|format=dmy|2008|Apr|10}}
|country = UK
|city = Manchester
|meet = World SC Championships
}}
{{end}}
{{swimmingrecordlegend|WR=yes|ER=yes|CR=yes|nation=British}}
Recognition
{{Multiple image
| perrow = 1
| total_width = 200
| direction = vertical
| image1 = Rebecca Adlington at Mansfield Town Hall 2008.jpg
| width1 = 190px
| alt1 = crowded own square
| caption1 = Adlington on an open-top bus outside of Mansfield Town Hall after parading around Mansfield town centre streets in 2008
| image2 = Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre, Mansfield (1).jpg
| width2 = 190px
| alt2 = Modern slab sided building in sun and shade against a grey sky
| caption2 = Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre in November 2017
| image3 = Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre opening 2010.jpg
| width3 = 190px
| alt3 = Rebecca Adlington and parents stand on a canopied, raised platform outside of the refurbished swimming pool looking on as the then-mayor of Mansfield at a microphone addresses spectators
| caption3 = Official opening in 2010 with Adlington and parents looking on as Tony Egginton, then-mayor of Mansfield, addresses spectators
}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/7583198.stm |title= Golden girl brings pride to town|date=27 August 2008|newspaper=BBC|access-date=6 April 2022}}
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.[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/aug/27/britisholympicmedals.britisholympicteam Golden shoes and Adlington mania greet returning Olympic double medal winner] The Guardian, 26 August 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2022[https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/fashion-news/olympic-swimmer-given-golden-jimmy-choos-183164 Olympic swimmer given golden Jimmy Choos] Marie Claire, 27 August 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2022
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,{{London Gazette |issue=58929 |date=31 December 2008 |page=8 |supp=y}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/7804849.stm |title=Hoy knighted in New Year honours |publisher=BBC News |date=31 December 2008 |access-date=31 December 2008}} which she received from The Queen at Buckingham Palace in June 2009."Olympic heroine Becky collects OBE from Queen". Chad, 10 June 2009, p.85. Accessed 30 April 2024
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.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/nottinghamshire/8403374.stm Adlington given honorary degree] BBC News, 9 December 2009. Retrieved 24 December 2018
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2275 |title=Mansfield to honour Olympic hero |publisher=Mansfield District Council |date=11 August 2008 |access-date=5 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905023011/http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2275 |archive-date= 5 September 2008 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1719 |title=Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre |publisher=Mansfield District Council |access-date=3 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818030048/http://www.mansfield.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1719 |archive-date=18 August 2011 }} The Yates Bar in Mansfield was renamed the Adlington Arms in her honour.{{Disputed inline|The Yates Bar in Mansfield was renamed the Adlington Arms in her honour|for=After a 2022 deletion, prose implies the name is still Adlington Arms|date=May 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news-and-features/adlington-arms-awaits-golden-girl-908619.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130422072221/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news-and-features/adlington-arms-awaits-golden-girl-908619.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 April 2013 |title=Adlington Arms awaits golden girl |work=The Independent |date=26 August 2008|access-date=5 September 2008 | location=London}}
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.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18616439 Olympic torch: Torvill and Dean skate with 2012 flame] BBC News, 28 June 2012. Retrieved 2022[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/live-olympic-torch-relay-day-41-lincoln-to-nottingham-m250p7n0zxk Live: Olympic Torch Relay Day 41 — Lincoln to Nottingham] The Times, 28 June 2012. Archived from [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/live-olympic-torch-relay-day-41-lincoln-to-nottingham-m250p7n0zxk the original] on 27 December 2021, due to {{registration required}}. Retrieved 3 February 2022More 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 2022Olympic flame to light up Mansfield. Chad, 21 March 2012, pp.6-7. Accessed 4 february 2022
In 2013 soon after her retirement from competition, Adlington was named as the inaugural inductee into Nottinghamshire County Council's Roll of Honour."Awards celebrate sporting success". Chad, 20 February 2013, p.28. Retrieved 8 September 2022
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.{{citation|url = http://www.railwayherald.co.uk/magazine/pdf/RHUK/Issue195.pdf| title = First Class 395 'Javelin' named at Ashford International| page=6|journal = Railway Herald| issue =195| date = 28 September 2009}} Several other British Olympians also received this honour.
Tram 231 on the Nottingham Tram system was named after Adlington in 2016.Swim ace's tram honour. Chad, 11 May 2016, p.29. Accessed 12 January 2022{{citation|url = https://www.thetram.net/tram-names.aspx|title =Each one of our trams is named after a local hero of the past or present| access-date=28 July 2021 }}
Television
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.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-jump/news/a782657/the-jump-rebecca-adlington-quits-over-dislocated-shoulder-and-heather-mills-is-replacing-her/|title=The Jump: Rebecca Adlington quits over dislocated shoulder, and Heather Mills is replacing her|author=Ben Lee|date=7 February 2016|work=Digital Spy}}
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...''=
{{Main article|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (British TV series)|l1 = 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.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/im-a-celebrity-2013-contestants-amy-willerton-and-joey-essex-among-the-lineup-8937716.html|title=I'm A Celebrity 2013 contestants: Rebecca Adlington to join Joey Essex in the jungle|last=Denham|first=Jess|date=13 November 2013|work=The Independent|access-date=27 November 2013}} She finished in 6th place, being voted out by the public on 6 December 2013.
=Guest appearances=
- The Charlotte Church Show (28 August 2008) – Guest
- All Star Family Fortunes (18 September 2010) – Contestant
- A League of Their Own (2 November 2012) – Panellist
- I Love My Country (14 September 2013) – Guest
- Celebrity Come Dine with Me (16 December 2013) – Contestant
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (19 December 2013) – Contestant, with Kian Egan
- The Chase: Celebrity Special (28 December 2013) – Contestant
- A Question of Sport: Super Saturday (12 July 2014) – Guest
- 8 Out of 10 Cats (13 October 2014) – Guest
- Desert Island Discs BBC Radio 4 (14 June 2015) – Interviewed at length as the guest 'castaway'
- Celebrity MasterChef (16 August 2017) – Contestant
Commercial coaching and leisure outlets
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.[https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2022/06/jd-sports-acquires-60-stake-in-bolton-based-total-swimming-group/ JD Sports acquires 60% stake in Rebecca Adlington’s Total Swimming Group] retailgazette.co.uk, 22 June 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023 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.[https://www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk/health-club-management-news/Hundreds-of-national-sports-organisations-athletes-and-celebrities-send-letter-to-PM-for-energy-bills-help-as-mass-closures-loom/350906 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
Personal life
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".{{cite web |date=6 February 2012 |title=My Sister's Brush With Death Inspires Me |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9059514/Rebecca-Adlington-my-sisters-brush-with-death-inspires-me.html |work=The Telegraph}} Adlington became an Ambassador of the Encephalitis Society in 2009, to help raise awareness of the illness.{{cite web |author= |date=14 March 2012 |title=Gold medal swimmer and TV star officially launch charity HQ |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/9588304.Gold_medal_swimmer_and_TV_star_officially_launch_charity_HQ/ |access-date=12 November 2013 |work=The Press |location=York}}
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."'Comedy ruling should have stayed private'". Chad, 4 November 2009, p.13. Accessed 17 September 2022[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/rebecca-adlington-slams-bbc-over-frankie-boyle-rebuke-1813432.html Rebecca Adlington slams BBC over Frankie Boyle rebuke] The Independent, 2 November 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2022[https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/tv-radio/funnyman-frankie-boyle-hits-back-1040468 Funnyman Frankie Boyle hits back at criticism over joke about Rebecca Adlington] Daily Record, 28 October 2009. Retrieved 17 September 2022[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8575567/Rebecca-Adlington-Im-over-the-Frankie-Boyle-spoon-jibe.html Rebecca Adlington: I'm over the Frankie Boyle spoon jibe] The Telegraph, 14 June 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2022{{registration required}}[https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2012/jul/30/frankie-boyle-versus-rebecca-adlington Frankie Boyle reprises his ugly attack on swimmer Rebecca Adlington] The Guardian, 30 July 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2022
In 2014, Adlington married former swimmer Harry Needs.[http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/508345/Rebecca-Adlington-wedding-weight-loss '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 The couple had a daughter together, born in 2015.[http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/showbiz-news/rebecca-adlington-takes-baby-summer-9772947 Rebecca Adlington takes baby Summer swimming] Manchester Evening News, 1 August 2015. Retrieved 24 September 2015 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.[https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/local-news/rebecca-adlington-announces-birth-baby-5074229 Rebecca Adlington announces birth of baby son Albie] Nottinghamshire Live, 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021 In August 2022, she suffered a miscarriage and underwent emergency surgery.{{cite web |last=Jackson |first=Marie |date=27 August 2022 |title=Rebecca Adlington speaks of devastation after miscarriage |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-62698979 |accessdate=27 August 2022 |work=BBC}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Rebecca Adlington reveals late miscarriage of baby daughter, saying she is 'truly heartbroken' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/rebecca-adlington-reveals-late-miscarriage-of-baby-daughter-saying-she-is-truly-heartbroken-12990683 |access-date=2023-10-24 |website=Sky News |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-10-23 |title=Rebecca Adlington reveals miscarriage heartbreak |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-67191548 |access-date=2023-10-24 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
In 2025 she revealed she had been diagnosed with Coeliac disease.{{Cite web |last=France |first=Anthony |date=2025-03-27 |title=Rebecca Adlington diagnosed with life-changing disease |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/rebecca-adlington-diagnosed-disease-coeliac-gluten-b1219086.html |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=The Standard |language=en}}
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Rebecca Adlington}}
- [http://www.rebeccaadlington.co.uk Official Rebecca Adlington Website]
- [http://www.olympics.org.uk/beijing2008/AthleteProfile.aspx?id=6649# British Olympic Association athlete profile]
- [http://www.swimming.org/britishswimming/swimming/womens-profiles/rebecca-adlington/ British Swimming athlete profile]
- [http://195.184.236.5/historic/historic2.php?tiref=7880 British Swimming results and rankings database entry]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
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{{s-ttl|title=European Swimmer of the Year|years=2008}}
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{{succession box | before = Lewis Hamilton | after = Jenson Button | title = Laureus World Sports
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Category:Sportspeople from Mansfield
Category:Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for England
Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for England
Category:English Olympic competitors
Category:English female freestyle swimmers
Category:European Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming
Category:British female freestyle swimmers
Category:World record setters in swimming
Category:Laureus World Sports Awards winners
Category:Medalists at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)
Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire
Category:Olympic bronze medallists for Great Britain
Category:Olympic gold medallists for Great Britain
Category:Olympic bronze medalists in swimming
Category:Olympic swimmers for Great Britain
Category:Swimmers at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Category:Swimmers at the 2010 Commonwealth Games
Category:Swimmers at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Category:World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming
Category:Olympic gold medalists in swimming
Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in swimming
Category:Medallists at the 2010 Commonwealth Games