Rebecca Adlington today confirmed her retirement from competitive swimming at the age of 23. Announcing her decision at a press conference in Westminster, the two-time Olympic champion said it “feels like time”.
The news comes just 24 hours after her coach, Bill Furniss, who guided her since the age of 12, was unveiled as British Swimming’s new head coach.
Adlington (above) was one of the few bright lights from the British team that struggled at the Olympics after winning bronze medals in the 400metres and 800m freestyle.
But her career highlight came at the previous Games in Beijing where she burst onto the international scene with double gold, in the process becoming the first British swimmer to win more than one gold medal at a single Olympics for a century.
There had been hopes that she would continue until the 2014 Commonwealth Games but she said today: “Even when I was 12 or 13 I knew I wanted to go out on a high. I don’t like the word ‘retire’ but, as an elite athlete I won’t be competing any more and I won’t be at this year’s Worlds.
“I hope I will be missed because everyone wants to feel that they have made an impression.”
Adlington will now turn her attention to Becky Adlington SwimStars academy, through which she aims to ensure every child can swim 25m by the time they finish primary school.
British Olympic Association chairman Lord Coe led the tributes today.
He said: “Becky’s success in Beijing inspired a generation to get in the pool and swim. Her down-to-earth personality and remarkable career achievements have made her a national treasure. Becky’s vision for the future of swimming will create a wonderful legacy.”
