Adlington: I've still got lots to learn

By Matt Wright, Sportsbeat

REBECCA Adlington may be one of the most recognisable names in British sport, but she insists she is still a swimming novice.

NOVICE: Rebecca Adlington insists she still has plenty to learn despite her two gold medals at Beijing Olympics (Getty Images)

The 20-year-old, who will line up for Europe at this weekend's British Gas Duel in the Pool in Manchester, shot to fame last year as she won 400m and 800m freestyle Olympic gold in Beijing. 

But it hasn't all gone to plan since then with Adlington admitting the pressure got the better of her at this year's World Championships as she was overshadowed by Italian superstar Federica Pellegrini.

The Nova Centurion did claim double bronze in Rome but it was a far cry from her Beijing heroics as fellow Brit Gemma Spofforth stole the domestic headlines with 100m backstroke gold and a new world record.

And while Adlington remains the star attraction ahead of this weekend's Ryder Cup-style meet with the USA, she was quick to remind the British public her career has only just started ahead of an action-packed 2010.

"People seem to forget that, apart from Beijing, I've not really done anything else," said Adlington.

"I'm still trying to set a name for myself - I've never been to a Commonwealth Games and I've never won gold at the World Championships.

"I'm still trying to gain experience as an athlete. I'm only 20 and I'm learning a lot about the sport so there's a lot of improvements to be made.

"I was really happy with the 400m at the World Championships.  I  was two seconds faster than I was in Beijing so that was obviously a positive thing.

"In hindsight the 800m wasn't an absolute shocker but it was obviously disappointing to come fourth.  Everybody hates that position."

Adlington, who was given a boost earlier this week when the IOC opted against dropping the 800m from the 2012 Olympic programme, will join 13 other Brits in the European team for this weekend's Duel in the Pool.

And while the pressure will be off in Manchester with the competition aimed at giving swimming the X-factor in the build-up to 2012, Adlington is determined to impress ahead of the new season which includes both the European Championships and the Commonwealth Games.

"The Duel in the Pool is something new for European swimming but we're all taking it seriously.  It's a big thing for the USA to be coming over here before the London Olympics," she added.

"Next year I'll be focusing on the Commonwealth Games. We have two chances to qualify so hopefully I'll be able to go as I've not been to a Commonwealth Games before.

"It would a great thing to be involved in and a great experience career-wise.  I missed out in Melbourne in 2006 as I didn't perform that well.  I had been ill at the time and  just missed the team.

"We've also got the European Championships coming up as well but for me the major event is the Commonwealth Games.

"I'm treating that as the big thing next year as I've been to Europeans before, though that's still an event I want to do well in. I just really want to be a part of the Commonwealth Games and go to India."

 * British Gas and British Swimming. The nation's leading energy supplier, British Gas, is the Principal Partner of British Swimming, supporting the sport at all levels: 'From paddling pool to podium'. For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk/swimming