Rebecca Adlington has expressed her pride at winning a bronze medal for Team GB in this evening's women's 800m freestyle final.
The Beijing 2008 champion was widely tipped to retain her crown, but finished behind Mireia Belmonte Garcia of Spain and American teen Katie Ledecky, who upset the odds to win gold.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the race, Adlington hit out at any notion that her third-place finish represents a "failure".
She said: "I am proud to get a bronze, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. I hate it when people say it is losing because you have not done my sport. Swimming is one of the hardest events to get a medal at.
"It's not like other sports. Hopefully the public will be proud of me getting that bronze."
Tonight's result takes Adlington's London 2012 medal haul to two following her bronze medal performance in the 400m freestyle event.
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Mark Langshaw
