Rebecca Adlington

Sport: Swimming

Nation: Great Britain

DOB: February 17, 1989

Hometown: Mansfield

Career Highlights: Adlington won the 400m and 800m freestyle at the Beijing Olympics, becoming the first British woman to take a swimming gold since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960 and the first British swimmer to win two Olympic events since 1908. She set a world record in the heats of the 800m freestyle in Beijing before winning the final two days later in another world record time of 8:14.10 - two full seconds under the previous mark set by Janet Evans of the United States in 1989. Adlington led from start to finish to win her first Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2010 in the 800m freestyle, and also took gold in the 400m free. She won another gold medal in 800m free at the 2011 world championships and captured a silver medal in the 400m free. Adlington will defend her titles in the 400m and 800m free events in London after winning both at the national trials in April.

Olympic History: 2008