Be patient and success will come, Adlington urges Carlin

DOUBLE Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington insists she has welcomed the rise of Jazmin Carlin this year - but has warned her not to start expecting things too soon.

UP AND COMING: Rebecca Adlington (R) believes it won't be long until Jaz Carlin is one of the world's finest freestyle swimmers (Reuters)

The 19-year-old had been a thorn in Adlington's side ever since helping the British 4x200m freestyle relay team to bronze at the Rome World Championships last summer until the two-time Beijing 2008 gold medallist clinched 400m victory at the European Championships earlier this month.

The pair had traded Duel in the Pool victories either side of the year before Adlington rose to the occasion at the British Championships winning the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyles.

Carlin had to settle for two silvers and a bronze and in Budapest, she failed to make an impression and failed to reach the final in either the 200m or the 400m.

But she will get the chance to challenge Adlington again this year having qualified for Commonwealth Games.

And while acknowledging the growing talents of Carlin - who made her Commonwealth debut for Wales in Melbourne in 2006 - Adlington has called on her to be patient and let success come naturally.

"Jazmin is brilliant, she is so lovely and so much fun to be around and it is great that she in the British team now," said Adlington.

"In the pool Jazmin is obviously one of our up-and-coming swimmers and yes she has been around a kind of a long time having gone to the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

"But I think when she gets that little bit older she will really shine through - she is a year younger than me and it is obvious the she is coming through more and more now.

"We have raced against each other a few times this year and I know we will again - and it will be interesting to see what happens."

While Carlin disappointed in the individual events in Budapest, she joined Adlington and double world silver medallist Jo Jackson to lead Great Britain to 4x200m freestyle bronze.

Carlin swam the fastest time during the heats of the 4x200m relay at the worlds last year and Adlington insists she is now an integral member of the team.

"It is always great racing as a team but also as individuals against each other," added Adlington.

"And that is such a good thing for when we all race together as a 4x200m freestyle team.

"Jazmin is just as much a part of that as everyone else and I hope she continues to be a part of it.

"And it is so encouraging to see that depth coming through and all of us coming together for the benefit of Britain and the team."

Rebecca Adlington likes to play Snap when she is not swimming and is a Stripe. For more information, please visit www.spotsvstripes.com