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
Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle Wendy Trott, who broke a new African record (4:08.38) in the heats. Earlier in the prelims, Pellegrini, Hoff, Jackson, and Adlington broke one of the oldest Olympic records in the book as they each went under the time of 4:03.85, which had stood since Janet Evans won the gold medal in the event at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Prior to this competition, the existing world and Olympic records were as follows: The following new world and Olympic records were set during this competition. Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Women's 400 metre freestyle The women's 400 metre