Thousands of delighted fans cheer on Becky at her homecoming in Mansfield in 2008. She became Britain's first Olympic swimming champion since 1988, and the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals since 1908.Thousands of delighted fans cheer on Becky at her homecoming in Mansfield in 2008. She became Britain's first Olympic swimming champion since 1988, and the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals since 1908.
Thousands of delighted fans cheer on Becky at her homecoming in Mansfield in 2008. She became Britain's first Olympic swimming champion since 1988, and the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals since 1908.

Made in Mansfield: When Olympic heroine Rebecca Adlington returned home

Back in the summer of 2008 Mansfield’s very own Rebecca Adlington become known around the world.
Stephen Thirkill
By Stephen Thirkill
Published 27th Feb 2022, 07:00 BST

That was because she was on top of the world after winning the 400m and 800m freestyle swimming events at the Beijing Olympics.

And she didn’t just win the 800m crown, she absolutely smashed – breaking the 19-year-old world record of Janet Evans in the process.

So it was no wonder our Olympic star returned back to Mansfield with a reception fit for a crown.

Here we take you back to that magic moment when Mansfield came together to celebrate the success of one of our own.

What are your memories of that day? If you have any retro sports images you would like to share, email [email protected]

Triple gold medallist Chris Hoy, now Sir Chris of course, and double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington take centre stage as the and the Great Britain Olympic team arrive home from the Beijing Olympic Games at Heathrow airport on August 25, 2008.

1. Chris Hoy and Rebecca Adlington

Triple gold medallist Chris Hoy, now Sir Chris of course, and double gold medallist Rebecca Adlington take centre stage as the and the Great Britain Olympic team arrive home from the Beijing Olympic Games at Heathrow airport on August 25, 2008. Photo: Cate Gillon

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Staff from Heathrow Airport applaud double gold Medalist swimmer, Rebecca Adlington. Brilliantly Becky set a new British, Commonwealth, European and Olympic record in the preliminary heats of the 800m freestyle, before going one step further in the final.

2. Applause for the champ

Staff from Heathrow Airport applaud double gold Medalist swimmer, Rebecca Adlington. Brilliantly Becky set a new British, Commonwealth, European and Olympic record in the preliminary heats of the 800m freestyle, before going one step further in the final. Photo: Cate Gillon

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Becky Adlington fields questions from the media during The British Olympic Association Welcome Home Press Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Heathrow Airport on August 25, 2008. It was Team GB's most successful performance in the Olympics for 100 years

3. Star of the show

Becky Adlington fields questions from the media during The British Olympic Association Welcome Home Press Conference at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Heathrow Airport on August 25, 2008. It was Team GB's most successful performance in the Olympics for 100 years Photo: Ian Walton

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Mansfield Market Place is rammed with thousands of fans watching as Becky's bus passes through. It was a fitting moment for a lifetime of hard work and dedication which saw Becky come through local events all the way to the very top.

4. Mansfield Market Place

Mansfield Market Place is rammed with thousands of fans watching as Becky's bus passes through. It was a fitting moment for a lifetime of hard work and dedication which saw Becky come through local events all the way to the very top. Photo: Christopher Furlong

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