Rebecca Adlington ends competitive career but just don’t call it retirement

Double Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington today confirmed her retirement from competitive swimming but vowed to stay in the pool until she is 90.

The 23-year-old’s future has been the subject of much debate since she claimed two bronze medals at the London Olympics last summer.

At a press conference today in London, the Mansfield-born swimmer confirmed she was bringing to an end a glittering career that has brought her Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles.

“I hate the word ‘retire’,” she said. “I love swimming but as a competitive element and elite athlete I won’t compete any more. I’ll always be swimming, even when I am 90 years old.”

Adlington recalled with fondness her 400 metre and 800m gold medals in Beijing and said she was convinced the timing of her decision was right.

“Beijing changed my entire life everyone wanted to learn about me. It was the best moment of my entire career and I am so glad my (800m) world record still stands.

“But it’s time. I certainly can’t compete with that (younger swimmers). I can’t do the same level of work I need far more time for recovery.”