As our counties greatest ever athletes go, few can argue against a four-time Olympic medallist as the best in our generation and Mansfield born Rebecca Adlington can certainly be considered as just that.

Adlington set British, Commonwealth, European, Olympic and World records during her time in the pool and twice won gold at the 2008 Beijing games before winning a pair of bronze medals at the London Olympics in 2012, swimming in her favourite events of 400m and 800m freestyle.

A European champion in 2010, a world champion in both 2011 and 2008, she is also a double commonwealth gold medallist and more importantly now has the freedom of Mansfield too. And rightly so for all her great achievements in not just doing her town but herself, her family, her friends and her country proud. But the now retired athletes attentions these days are towards something even more important and ‘getting kids back in the pool’ which has become impossible of late due to strict government measures and covid.

Becky, now aged just 31, learned to swim aged 3 years old at Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club (now known as the Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre) before joining the Nottingham based Nova Centurion Club where she raced competitively since the age of nine. She has been vocal about getting swimming clubs re-opened stating “Swimming pools are safe and well-managed environments. They are vital to the nation’s physical and mental health in battle against Covid-19”

Swimming is an endurance sport that not only can be raced competitively but is a ‘life skill’ that ‘all’ children are encouraged to learn from an early age, and by closing pools, the UK is currently taking away the opportunity for children (and adults) to learn a necessary life skill which could perhaps one day save their own or someone else’s lives.

Adlington, who along with over 4,000 others so far, has signed the petition to require and fund the local provision of swimming and leisure facilities (which can be found here) and has publicly backed Swim England’s letter to the Prime Minister to get pools back open saying “I know a lot is happening now but kids learning a life skill is too important”.

Adlington said that due largely to the safety measures imposed with restricted access to pools “This year is the longest time I have had out of the water. I’ve certainly not lost my appetite for swimming. Most importantly it’s a life skill but it’s brought me so much happiness over the years”.

To sign the Swim England open letter to the PM click here and make your voice heard by joining the #FightingForPools family as either a supporter, campaigner or champion.

*Main image @NotARedCard Rebecca Adlington says swimming is important for mental health.