On this day in 2010: Rebecca Adlington wins Commonwealth Games 800m gold
Adlington’s win was her third medal of the Games after previously claiming bronze in the 200m freestyle and 4x200m relay.
![Rebecca Adlington won 800m freestyle gold (Anna Gowthorpe/PA)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/10/07/06/1231ef8c9eb1be7a189b96b4efab66d5Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjk2NjcwMTMx-2.9584991.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
England’s Rebecca Adlington won gold in the women’s 800m freestyle at the Commonwealth Games on this day in 2010.
Adlington added the 800metres freestyle Commonwealth title to her Olympic crown as she dominated from the start at the Dr SP Mukherjee Aquatics Complex in Delhi.
The then 21-year-old qualified second fastest for the final behind Wendy Trott, but it did not take long for her to assume control and she was more than two seconds ahead after 200 metres.
Adlington stretched her advantage to seven metres at the halfway point before Trott started making inroads in an attempt to chase down the double Olympic gold medallist.
But Adlington’s unassailable advantage was never seriously threatened as she touched home in eight minutes 24.69 seconds, more than two seconds ahead of Trott and Australia’s Melissa Gorman.
Adlington was relieved that she had managed to deliver after being the favourite to win the race.
“It is the mental pressure I put on myself because I want it so badly,” she said. “I have got the pressure because I have experienced the feeling of being on top and worry that I might never experience that feeling again.
“I’ve got to enjoy the feeling of wins like these.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.