One of the greatest British swimmers, Adlington picked up two gold medals at the 2008 Olympics in the 400m and 800m freestyle races – breaking the former world record in the latter event. At the following games in London, she won bronze in both events.
In recognition of her achievements, the local swimming pool in her hometown of Mansfield was renamed as the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre.
The OBE-holder has spoken before about the incessant trolling and online abuse that many female athletes receive. She previously told Stylist that after becoming the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals since 1908, the comments turned from congratulatory to abusive: “They became really personal. It was stuff you wouldn’t say to your worst enemy. Had it been about my performance in the pool, I would have taken it, but it had nothing to do with my swimming ability.
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