IS Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington just too young to retire from her sport at 23?
No, of course not. The lifestyle demands of this kind of sport at the level at which she has been competing are massive, involving a daily training schedule and diet that most of us would never contemplate.
Top athletes are very driven individuals but this kind of dedication is only sustainable for a relatively short time. She’s quitting at the top, and good luck to her.
There is no doubt that product endorsements and likely TV work beckon and that she will employ all the dedication she has so far put into swimming in this new area. She’s a likeable champion, very girl-next-door, and the kind of cleancut role model that most parents would like for their children.
I for one look forward to seeing more of Rebecca Adlington as an individual away from sport. She’s still destined to make a big splash.