Swimming: Rebecca Adlington on course for tilt at double

REBECCA ADLINGTON has set up a chance to repeat her great Beijing Olympic double in London this summer after qualifying for both the 800m and 400m freestyle at the British trials in London.

On the penultimate day of the British Gas British Championships, the Nottingham 23-year-old had a terrific victory in a world-class 8:18.54 time in her favourite 800m freestyle. She had already won the 400m last Sunday.

City of Sheffield’s Ellie Faulkner sliced two seconds from her personal best and also made Team GB for London with a silver medal in 8:27.11.

“I’m so pleased with the swim and the time,” said a delighted Adlington. “It is so tough when you are out on your own for the second 400m. But I drew on the crowd. It is going to be so good to be back here in the summer swimming when it is packed full and most of the crowd are cheering for us.”

Whitburn’s Megan Gilchrist, who trains in Swansea and competed for Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, was fifth in 8:39.08.