Adlington Hopes Chinese Good Fortune Leads to London Gold Rush

Arriving outside the wonderful backdrop of the Tate Modern to my right and the City of London to my left, for a National Lottery event ahead of the Olympics next summer. 

It may have been seven in the morning on a dull and drizzly day, but double gold medallist Rebbeca Adlington was in a bright mood, perky and full of smiles.

This would have been a rare lie-in for the 22-year-old who usually wakes up at the ungodly hour of 5am to begin a daily training regime that consists of thousands of lengths designed to help her peak in time for a major championships.

“I get up a 5.15am, before spending time in the pool and swimming from 6 until 8 in the morning,” reveals Adlington. “I then get back in the pool between 5 and 7 in the evening.

“It’s pretty much full on for six days with gym sessions in-between that as well, with only Sundays off.

“It is great to get time off for events like this with the National Lottery as well, giving something back to them after they have done so much for swimming and did so much for me early in my career as well. I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I have if it wasn’t for the National Lottery funding.”

The early morning starts aren’t in vain for the Mansfield swimmer, as her dedication has paid off with an array of medals, with her latest haul coming at the World Championships in July of this year in Shanghai.

After getting silver in the freestlye 400m, Addlington added gold in her favoured event the 800m. This completed a magnificent run of success that has seen her win gold at the Olympics, European championships, Commonwealth Games and now the World championships.

“It wasn’t something that I had really taken much notice of until someone mentioned it to me afterwards,” reflected Britain’s golden girl. “It was a nice moment to realise that achievement and it was nice to know I have done everything now which is good. 

Not that Adlington is content with her medal haul, she admits that there are still plenty of goals for her to achieve over the coming years. “I will always have new goals for myself. The world’s are the next best thing after the Olympics, so I was just relieved to have had such a good tournament.”

As well as her own personal success, Adlington also reflected on the success Team GB enjoyed as a whole out in China. 

“It was a really good meet in Shanghai and I really enjoyed it as a whole,” Adlington continued. “It was great to go back to China and to experience another part of it, as we had already been to Beijing for the Olympics.

“The Great Britain team did so well, it was great for Kerri-Ann (Payne) who not only got the first gold at the championships but she also became the first athlete to qualify for London next year, which is amazing.

“That got the whole team going, we ended up coming away with six medals including three gold’s and three silvers which was an unbelievable result. We had the most finalists and semi-finalists we’ve ever had at a world championships which again is an amazing achievement.   

“From a personal standpoint I was just glad that I was able to improve from the last worlds’ where I came away with two bronze medals. I have shown a lot of improvement, which I’m really pleased about.”

It seems as though China is a fruitful venue for Adlington after her exploits at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 made her a household name after she returned with two gold medals and now her most recent success in Shanghai has once again propelled her into the media spotlight. 

She now hopes that same good fortune will help her succeed at the Olympics in London next year.

“China definitely seems to be a bit of a good luck charm for myself,” Adlington reflected. “Hopefully that can pass on to London next year and I will be able to enjoy some more success here.

“I will get a chance to see the completed aquatics centre in October with the rest of the team which should be really good. Then I’m really looking forward to the Olympic trials which are going to be held at the Olympic pool, which I think is great as we have the opportunity to race there and will be amazing ahead of the Olympics.

“The whole team is excited about the prospect and it has given everyone something to really look forward to and talk about which is really nice.” 

Adlington knows the importance of next year and is aware that there will be plenty of expectation placed on her broad shoulders as she looks to once again add more medals to her already bulging collection. 

“The general public are just all wishing me good luck to be honest, and are just telling me to go for it next year. Obviously the Olympics are the one everyone knows even if they’re not a massive fan of sport. I have received so much support, especially from lots of mums who have come up to me and wished me good luck for next year, everyone has just been so lovely.”

With the Olympic test event at the brand new aquatics’ centre in March, it will be the last time for Adlington to shine before the big one next summer.

Rebecca Adlington joined David Roberts at The National Lottery's London 2012 Games hot air balloon tour launched at Tate Modern to thank Lottery players for their investment in London 2012. Visit www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk for more information.

Picture Caption: Double Olympic Champion Rebecca Adlington and 11 times Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts launch The National Lottery London 2012 Games hot air balloon tour at Tate Modern to thank lottery players for their investment in London 2012.

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