Great Britain at the 2008 Summer Olympics April, with open water event swimmers selected after performance in the 2008 World Open Water Swimming Championships, in Seville, Spain. In winning six medals (two gold, two silver and two bronze) the team bettered the target of three medals set by UK Sport. The most successful swimmer was Rebecca Adlington who won two gold medals. Her 400 m freestyle success was Britain's first Olympic swimming title since 1988, and the first swimming gold by a British woman since 1960. Her second gold, in the 800 m freestyle, meant she also equalled the best performance by a British woman, from any
Rebecca Adlington goalkeeper Terry Adlington, and she is a keen Derby supporter. In 2005, Adlington's sister, Laura, was affected by encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain. Her sister recovered over time, but its impact inspired Adlington to say in 2012: "It made me more determined. It makes me train harder". Adlington became an Ambassador of the Encephalitis Society in 2009, to help raise awareness of the illness. In 2014, Adlington married former swimmer Harry Needs. The couple had a daughter together, Summer (born 2015). In March 2016, Adlington announced her separation from Needs. Adlington represented Great Britain in the 2008 Summer Olympics,