Golden girl brings mayor to heel

Double Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington, 19, is set to swap her swimming costume for designer stilettos on her return home.

Mayor of Mansfield Tony Eggington said he would now buy her the pair of Jimmy Choo shoes he promised before the Games if she came home with Olympic gold.

He also confirmed plans for an open-top bus tour, victory parade and party.

The Nottinghamshire swimmer broke the world record to take her second gold in Beijing in Saturday's 800m freestyle.

"When we did our Olympic send-off I promised her a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes if she brought back gold, so it looks like I might have to eat my words now," Mr Eggington said.

When we spoke to her she was just being normal Becky, taking the mickey out of dad and asking how the dogs were Chloe Adlington Adlington storms to second gold

"She has raised the profile of Mansfield and as an individual she is remarkable.

"She provides inspiration for other youngsters in the town and no doubt she will help them set their goals."

Adlington's two sisters Laura, 21, and Chloe, 24, watched her race at their home in Mansfield.

Laura said: "When I spoke to her on the phone I didn't know what to say because 'well done' doesn't cover it really.

"She deserves it all. She put so much work in, both her and her coach to get themselves to where they are now.

"We knew she had it in her. She started strong and she kept it going all the way through.

"Everybody in the room was on their feet, screaming and crying.

Intensive training

"There's no word for the emotion, it was absolute jubilation.

"Her face when she looked up at the board and realised what she had done was just fantastic."

Chloe added: "We knew she would do well if she got a good start, but it's fantastic for her to get two golds.

The swimmer's sisters say they are looking forward to her homecoming

"When we spoke to her she was just being normal Becky, taking the mickey out of dad and asking how the dogs were."

Adlington, who also won gold in the 400m freestyle on Monday, has become the first British swimmer in 100 years to win two Olympic gold medals.

Her intensive training schedule has seen her getting up at 0500 every day and spending 30 hours a week in the pool.

Her victory in the 800m race broke a world record set in 1989 - the year she was born.

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