Rebecca Adlington rules out competing at 2016 Olympics in Rio
Last updated on .From the section Swimming
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 Glasgow 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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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!
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.
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....."?
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Good luck, Rebecca.
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.
Well done Becky - good luck.
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.
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?
What a wonderful role model to her sport.