Rebecca Adlington on London 2012 Impact for Women In Sport

Local TV Sport

Rebecca Adlington first captured the world’s attention at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At just 19, she stunned spectators by winning two gold medals in the 400m and 800m freestyle events, becoming Britain’s first female swimmer to claim multiple Olympic golds at a single Games.  Beyond medals, Adlington’s career has had a lasting impact on women’s sport. She has championed swimming, encouraged young athletes, and demonstrated the importance of mental strength, preparation, and perseverance. Her story emphasizes that success is as much about commitment and role modelling as podium finishes.

Transcript

00:00Rebecca Allington first captured the world's attention at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

00:06At just 19, she stunned spectators by winning two goals in the 400 and 800 metre freestyle,

00:13becoming Britain's first female swimmer to claim multiple Olympic goals at a single Games.

00:19Her triumphs not only made her a household name, but also inspired a generation of young swimmers

00:24to believe that international success was achievable, establishing her as one of Britain's most iconic athletes.

00:32Yeah, something, you just get into the sport.

00:36Swimming is not one of those you're not getting into for fame or money or anything else.

00:41It is just hobby-based, and it was exactly that for me.

00:45It was hobby-based. I absolutely loved it.

00:48My family were brilliant. We were from a very small town, so in Mansfield.

00:53There wasn't much to do, but we had two swimming pools, and we were very, very lucky,

00:58because I do know a lot of places across the UK don't have access to a swimming pool,

01:03and yet we actually had a few, so we were very, very fortunate in that aspect.

01:08So it became the thing that we did as a family.

01:10It was at weekends. We would go swimming. I wanted my birthday parties at the swimming pool.

01:15It just became a lifestyle thing for just the family.

01:20My sisters both swam and trained. They both stopped when they were mid-teens, but I carried it on.

01:27So, yeah, they were really supportive. They got it. They were just my biggest cheerleaders.

01:32Four years later, Addington returned to the Olympic pool in London with the weight of expectations on her shoulders.

01:41The 2012 Games were pivotal not just personally, but for British swimming and women's sport more broadly.

01:48Competing in front of a home crowd, she finished fifth in the 400 metre and fourth in the 800 metre freestyle.

01:54Whilst she didn't replicate her Beijing success, her presence and determination became a symbol of resilience and professionalism,

02:03showing the nation the dedication required to compete at the highest level

02:08and cementing her role as a figure of inspiration for aspiring athletes.

02:12Yeah, I think we really needed it at that period.

02:16I think it really brought the country together, if I'm being totally dramatic about it, because it really did.

02:24And I think there was a bit of negativity around it beforehand, going the traffic's going to be a nightmare,

02:30nothing's going to be finished, and there's always this negativity.

02:32And then it happens, and it's incredible.

02:36Like, it all came together perfectly.

02:39The venues were amazing.

02:41The volunteers were amazing.

02:43The athletes' performance, Super Saturday, was amazing.

02:47Like, it just came together.

02:49And you know it's good when some of the Australian team are coming up to you going,

02:53this is a good Olympics.

02:54I'm like, for them to admit it's a good Olympics, you're going, yeah, we're doing something right here.

02:58But it was great to see Jess Hennis on the front of magazines and on posters everywhere

03:06and kind of being this amazing role model, because that's the thing about Olympics.

03:12Even if you aren't a sport fan, a lot of people watch the Olympics.

03:17So many young girls that were sat at home watching or got their parents and family got tickets to go,

03:23had this opportunity to see something in this country of that level.

03:28Like, we just don't have that in this country, apart from football and a couple of other sports.

03:35So it was so great to highlight these sports as well that you didn't know much about.

03:40Like, I got watching BMX and all these, like, these sports that you go,

03:46I've never watched all them before.

03:48And then all of a sudden, you're like, I love BMX.

03:51And I love these sports.

03:52And I love watching diving and these things that aren't on telly all the time.

03:56And that's what it was really about.

03:58And that's what every Olympics is about.

04:00And it's fantastic to showcase because it does pull in.

04:04I think if you're an avid sport fan, you will watch all the sports all the time.

04:09Whereas the Olympic Games, that's what's really special about it, because people outside of sport watch.

04:14And then actually, they start to go, well, actually, I'm going to get active or I'm going to do this.

04:19And it just then flows.

04:20And it's a very powerful thing, the Olympics.

04:24From Beijing to London, Allington's journey reflects the evolution of a sporting icon.

04:29Her achievements in advocacy have contributed to a greater appreciation for women in sport,

04:35encouraging participation, raising visibility and ensuring her legacy

04:39as a true inspiration in British athletics.

04:42Thanks.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended