Rebecca Adlington today thanked her “unbelievable” fans after she won a bronze medal.
The swimmer, who had played down her chances of a medal despite winning two golds four years ago in Beijing, tweeted this morning: “Only managed to get through my news feed last night, but just read all my @’s/mentions! You guys are unbelievable! It’s overwhelming!”
In the 400-metre freestyle final last night, France’s Camille Muffat finished first with an Olympic record of 4.01.45 secs.
Adlington, 23, fought her way back from sixth at the halfway point as fans were on their feet in the most dramatic swimming race of the Games.
She said: “The crowd were just absolutely amazing, this is what I wanted, this is what picks you up, this is what gets you from fourth to third and gets us on that podium. I know so many people wanted me to get the gold and sorry about that, but I tried my absolute hardest, I’m so pleased with that.”
Adlington later went on Twitter to say: “Ahhhhhhhh bronze medal!!! Can’t believe it! Sooo happy it’s unreal! The crowd was incredible! THANK YOU to everyone, your support is amazing!”
Adlington, who will defend her 800m freestyle title on Friday, said she was astonished by the online response to her performance. In another tweet this morning she said: “I wish I could reply to everyone but it would take me days! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your kind words. Means more than you no :-).”
Speaking to the Standard about the weight of expectation on her, Adlington said: “The pressure was coming from everyone else, not from myself. I didn’t expect to come here and get two golds again, and I never did.
“It’s pressure but at the same time it’s been support. It’s just them trying to say good luck.”
She continued: “I know the 800 is going to be a fight and I know that I’m going to have to fight like hell to get a medal. I’m going to try my absolute hardest.”
