Exclusive interview with British Olympic swimming champion REBECCA ADLINGTON!

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Published on Wednesday, 07 November 2012 12:38

Last Updated on 07 November 2012

Monica Costa

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Rebecca “Becky” Adlington is only 23 but already OBE and Britain’s first Olympic swimming champion since 1988 and the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals since 1908. She won two gold medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in the 400 m and 800 m as well as bronze medals in the women’s 400 m and 800 m freestyle events in this year London Olympics. We have asked her a few questions and here is what she said.

Q: What made you want to swim competitively?

Becky: I realised I really enjoyed it as a hobby and therefore wanted to pursue it professionally

Q: Have you got a good way to motivate yourself if you’re having a bad training day?

Becky: Just keep positive and make sure you are enjoying your training. You will have a bad training day if you are not enjoying it so change your approach!

Q: What are your plans for the next five years?

Becky: No idea I will see what happens, but for now, I want to encourage children to learn to swim and give them my best advice and tips through the Speedo S Factor campaign.

Q: Do you think schools should encourage competitive sports or is inclusivity more important at a young age?

Becky: I would love to see more swimming in schools but couldn’t comment on education politics!

Q: In the lead up to the summer there was a lot of discussion about how male sport gets more press coverage than female sport. Do you think this has improved after the Olympics? Do you think more needs to be done to redress the balance?

Becky: This has definitely improved and isn’t a big issue now – just look at Jess Ennis!

Q: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?

Becky: My mum! As she let me pursue something I really enjoyed and supported me all of the way.

Q: If you were Mayor of London for the day what would you change?

Becky: Everyone could have a lie in!

Becky is currently involved in the ‘S Factor’ competition that asks kids to create a new character to join the Speedo Sea Squad, a team of cute creatures designed to make learning to swim feel fun and less daunting. As part of the campaign Rebecca and her mum Kay will offer top tips and advice to help parents and kids get swimming.

Talking about her involvement she said: “I hope the competition inspires children to get into swimming and learn more about this essential skill in a fun and interactive way. I’d love to see more kids getting in the pool and enjoying learning to swim as much as I did as a child”.

New research commissioned by Speedo has revealed that 40% of children can’t swim and a quarter of parents believe that schools and the government should be accountable for teaching children to swim rather than themselves.

The research also revealed that despite 60% of parents admitting they worry about their child drowning as a result of not being able to swim, nearly half of the parents questioned didn’t think of learning to swim was an important life skill.

Nearly three quarters of children haven’t had a swimming lesson or been taught by their parents. This lack of coaching has resulted in one in ten children experiencing an accident in the water due to lack of confidence and experience.

Parents and kids can enter the competition at www.mumsnet.com/microsites/speedo from 1 November 2012. The winner will be chosen by a panel of experts including Rebecca and will win a free pool party hosted by Rebecca herself and the Speedo Sea Squad. The winning design will join the Sea Squad as an honorary member to front the campaign encouraging kids to take the plunge.