She won two gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 400-metre freestyle and 800-metre freestyle, breaking the 19-year-old world record of Janet Evans in the 800-metre final.
Adlington was also Britain's first Olympic swimming champion since 1988, and the first British swimmer to win two Olympic gold medals since 1908.
After winning her first World Championship gold over 800 metres in 2011, along with silver in the 400 metres at the same meet, she won bronze medals in both the women's 400-metre and 800-metre freestyle events in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
On 5 February 2013, Adlington retired from all competitive swimming – a career which did Mansfield and all who knows her more than proud.
Here we take a look at her rise to fame.
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Gold medalist Rebecca Adlington poses during the medal ceremony for the Women's 800m Freestyle final. Adlington smashed the world record on the way to her gold medal as she wrote herself into Olympic history. Photo: Adam Pretty
. A rising star
A cheque for £500 is presented to Rebecca Adlington (17) by members of The Armchair club at the Civic Centre Mansfield. The money was given to help a potential bid for the Olympics. It was clearly money well spent. Photo: Angela Ward
. World Champs 2008
Success for Rebecca Adlington as she celebrates a gold medal in the 800m Freestyle Final during the ninth FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) at the MEN Arena on April 10, 2008. Photo: Julian Finney
. World Champs 2009
Adlington claimed a bronze medal in the 4x 200m Freestyle Final during the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome. Photo: Clive Rose
. Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games
Rebecca Adlington looks on during a training session at the Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Aquatics Complex ahead of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. In the 800-metre freestyle, Adlington led from start to finish to win her first Commonwealth Games gold medal. Photo: Julian Finney
. Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games
Medalists Jazmin Carlin of Wales (Bronze), Rebecca Adlington of England (Gold) and Kylie Palmer of Australia (Silver) pose during the medal ceremony for the Women's 400m Freestyle Final during day five of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in 2010. Photo: Mark Kolbe
. World Champs 2011
Rebecca Adlington won silver medal in the 400m freestyle at the 14th FINA World Championships in 2011 in Shanghai, China. Photo: Lintao Zhang
. British Championships 2012
Rebecca Turner, Rebecca Adlington and Lucy Ellis pose on the podium after the Women's 200m Freestyle final during the British Gas ASA National Championships at Ponds Forge in 2012. Photo: Clive Rose
. British Champs 2012
Rebecca Adlington (R), of Nova Centurion, celebrates winning the gold medal, with good friend Joanne Jackson, in the Womens Open 400m Freestyle Final during day two of the British Gas Swimming Championships at The London Aquatics Centre in 2012. Photo: Clive Rose
. The winning feeling
The magic moment when Rebecca Adlington realises that the dream of a life time is now reality. Photo: Jamie Squire
1. A rising star
A cheque for £500 is presented to Rebecca Adlington (17) by members of The Armchair club at the Civic Centre Mansfield. The money was given to help a potential bid for the Olympics. It was clearly money well spent. Photo: Angela Ward
2. World Champs 2008
Success for Rebecca Adlington as she celebrates a gold medal in the 800m Freestyle Final during the ninth FINA World Swimming Championships (25m) at the MEN Arena on April 10, 2008. Photo: Julian Finney
3. World Champs 2009
Adlington claimed a bronze medal in the 4x 200m Freestyle Final during the 13th FINA World Championships in Rome. Photo: Clive Rose
4. Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games
Rebecca Adlington looks on during a training session at the Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Aquatics Complex ahead of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. In the 800-metre freestyle, Adlington led from start to finish to win her first Commonwealth Games gold medal. Photo: Julian Finney