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Rebecca Adlington rules out competing at 2016 Olympics in Rio

Last updated on .From the section Swimmingcomments101

Double Beijing Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington has said she will not compete at Rio in 2016.

And the 23-year-old is still pondering whether to compete in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgowexternal-link in two years' time.

"Rio is out of reach. I'll be 27 then, and swimming, especially for distance swimmers, is a young person's game," Adlington told the Mail on Sunday.

However, her mother Kay and her agent said Adlington has not made a final decision about competing in Brazil.

Adlington won freestyle gold over 400m and 800m in Beijing in 2008.

She at London 2012, where she was beaten by 15-year-old American Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle.

As well as the Commonwealth Games, where she is considering racing over 200m, the Mansfield swimmer must also decide whether she will target a place in the GB team at next year's World Championships in Barcelona.

"If I was a sprinter then I would go to Rio. But I don't have an ounce of sprinting in me," she added.

"If I were to race in Glasgow - and that's an if - then it would be in the 200m and 400m but definitely not the 800m. I'm done with that distance.

"I'd like to be in Rio, though, even if I'm just a fan. Hopefully I can be a bit more than that, like a mentor, or have some kind of official or unofficial role with the British swimming team."

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101 comments

  • Comment posted by kal77uk, at 09:04 23 Sep 2012

    She has nothing to prove. Good call.

  • Comment posted by MBDA, at 10:23 23 Sep 2012

    27 isn't old, however there is more to life than swimming and winning medals. Becky has probably sacrificed everything since the age of 14 to become the great swimmer that she is. She has achieved her sporting goals aged 23 (how many of us can say we did that) and now wishes to move on and have a somewhat normal life. I say good luck to her and many congratulations on all of her achievements.

  • Comment posted by John, at 10:20 23 Sep 2012

    Adlington won gold over the 400m and 800m in Beijing but could only manage bronze in both events in London.

    Why is the tone of reporting so negative?

    How about: Adlington won gold over the 400m and 800m in Beijing taking bronze in both events in London.

    She came 3rd in the world for goodness sake!

  • Comment posted by David Illingworth, at 09:13 23 Sep 2012

    "Only manage a bronze in both events". Rubbish! She has been a fantastic competitor in Beijing AND London and can look back on her career with enormous pride. I do hope she comes up to Glasgow for the Commonwealth games.

  • Comment posted by ipfreely, at 10:14 23 Sep 2012

    #thewordsmith (the irony in your username is not lost on me)

    I've never heard of Diana Nyad, but I have heard of of Ian Thorpe. A quitter at 24 and a flop at 29, or one of the greatest Olympic swimmers ever? I think I'll go for the latter.
    Becky can't base her decision on one swimmer from years ago, it beggars belief that you judge her on that and IMO makes your opinion laughable.

  • Comment posted by U15256760, at 09:12 23 Sep 2012

    Well, there can be no arguing with that, she's obviously really thought this through. I have no doubt that she'd make a great ambassador for Team GB in 2016. I wish her all the best in what ever she does.

  • Comment posted by nptrainor, at 09:10 23 Sep 2012

    Well done Rebecca, very sensible move, you are a complete star and have achieved marvellous things... onwards and upwards to new horizons

  • Comment posted by U15304280, at 15:41 23 Sep 2012

    A humble and gracious decision from a young woman who knows herself. If only some of our politicians had the same sense of self-awareness to know when to call it a day...

  • Comment posted by Off_switch, at 13:37 23 Sep 2012

    Well done & thanks Rebecca! Good luck to you!

    This thread shows that there are some sad people out there! They give a downgrade point to people who say " well done! " Weird!!

    Those of you out there who do this really need to look in the mirror. "What have you done today....."?

  • Comment posted by U15314689, at 11:35 23 Sep 2012

    YOU HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR G.B. ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT AND LET ARMCHAIR EXPERTS ENJOY THEIR FUN.

    t

  • Comment posted by Edin-Nth, at 09:18 23 Sep 2012

    Always demonstrated great determination & dignity.

    Good luck, Rebecca.

  • Comment posted by U15288069, at 14:11 23 Sep 2012

    Rebecca gave one of the best interviews of the games when she said winning any colour of medal was an oustanding achievement. She is an inspiration and a credit to swimming.

  • Comment posted by Barry, at 12:49 23 Sep 2012

    'never that good of a swimmer' your ridiculous comment has made me sign up, so I can comment. Two golds in 2008 and two bronze medals in 2012. The best in the world and then the third best. Add in the world record time for the 800m at Beijing. I think that's pretty impressive! What are you competing at at world class level?! Rebecca, well done on all you have achieved. You are an inspiration!

  • Comment posted by U15414239, at 11:54 23 Sep 2012

    Rebecca Adlington had said previously if she felt she'd done her best in London, she wouldn't got to Brazil.

    Two words - Janet Evans.

    Evans is widely seen as the biggest talent in the history of women's distance swimming. She retired aged 25 at the 1996 olympics after winning no medals (she was at the time the world record holder for the 400m, 800,m & 1500m..That's what Becky doesn't want.

  • Comment posted by wallywalnut, at 10:58 23 Sep 2012

    Absolute Top Babe! - We all love and respect you - you have lightened our lives - go forth and succeed in whatever else you do.

  • Comment posted by MikeJM, at 10:44 23 Sep 2012

    I am pleased that she has had the courage to make this decision. She has done herself and the country proud and we must congratulate he for what she has done and wish her well in whatever she does next.

    Well done Becky - good luck.

  • Comment posted by U15434458, at 10:01 23 Sep 2012

    @thewordsmith

    So assuming by your illogical thought process about comparing a endurance swimmer to a high class pool swimmer then Sir Ranulph Fiennes should compete in the 20km walk at Rio!

    Why must people continue to criticise athletes who put there heart and soul into training. Thank you Beccy for the wonderful moments in Beijing.

  • Comment posted by Leaguefan, at 09:47 23 Sep 2012

    A wise sports person knows their abilities and where they see the future.

    Too many play on past glory and that is sad.

    There will always be replacements, whether as good, better or worse but that is the random nature of sport.

    She achieved her goals and who is to say that the decision is wrong?

  • Comment posted by mochanbach, at 09:45 23 Sep 2012

    This young lady has done this country proud so negative comments from people who probably could not even think of all the training and pain she has endured to train to get as far as she did should shut up

  • Comment posted by MarktheHorn, at 09:40 23 Sep 2012

    Lets not complain about our only real world class swimmer over the past few years.

    What a wonderful role model to her sport.

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