DOUBLE Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington believe her former teammate Hannah Miley has what it takes to win her third consecutive gold medal at the Commonwealth Games when the event kicks-off in just eleven days time.
Adlington and Miley were regular GB teammates, including at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, and so the Englishwoman has seen Miley at closer quarters than most.
The 28-year-old from Garioch won gold in the 400m individual medley at the 2010 Commonwealth Games before successfully defending her title at Glasgow 2014. This means she is going for the unprecedented achievement of a third consecutive gold medal in the same event, something that has never been done before by a Scot.
The competition for the 400m IM title will be incredibly stiff but Adlington has no doubt that Miley has what it takes to make history. “The 400m IM is going to be so tough - even just the competition she’ll have from the British girls is incredible and that’s before you throw the Canadians and Australians into the mix,” said Adlington.
“So it’s going to be tough for her but she’s been training really well as she looks to defend her title again.”
Miley has suffered her fair share of disappointments throughout her career, including narrowly missing out on an Olympic medal in 2016. She then had to endure the disappointment of finishing last in the final of the World Championships last year in Budapest, a position she was not used to dealing with.
But Miley has bounced back in remarkable fashion and is showing something close to her best form as she approaches her fourth Commonwealth Games and it is this that has impressed Adlington most.
“My heart broke for Hannah last year at the World Championships - she was so disappointed,” she said.
“I’ve never seen her that flat after a meet - she was really, really down but now she looks like she’s in a really good place. She seems to be really happy and right back in form after that disappointment.
“Hannah seems to be one of those athletes who’s very resilient and so if anyone is going to bounce back from a disappointment like that, it definitely is Hannah. And if there’s anyone who is able to turn up in Gold Coast after everything she’s been through and win gold, it definitely is Hannah.
She has been around for so long and one thing I think that think she’s done so well has been to move around and change things up to keep it fresh. And I don’t know how she’s managed to stay injury and illness-free but she’s done that brilliantly and that’s credit to her and her team.”
Miley will have considerable pressure upon her shoulders in Gold Coast, something Adlington knows only too well. The freestyler went into London 2012 as defending Olympic champion but she is confident that Miley is well-equipped to deal with the expectation that will be on her in Australia.
“I don’t think Hannah needs any advice - she’s dealt with as much pressure as anyone and she knows exactly what to do,” she said.
“Actually, she’s got less pressure on her heading into these Commonwealth Games than she did four years ago in Glasgow.
“And she’s not only dealt with pressure at Commonwealth Games - she’s also done it at Olympic Games, World and European Championships so the crowd in Australia will be a welcome one for Hannah. She thrives in front of big crowds and so I’m sure she’ll handle the situation brilliantly.”
It is not only Miley that Adlington is impressed with in the Scottish team. A considerable number of other Scottish swimmers head to Australia with hopes of returning with silverware but it is Duncan Scott who has really caught Adlington’s eye. Still only 20-years-old, Scott already has two Olympic silver medals and two World Championship gold medals in his trophy cabinet and Adlington believes he has the potential to go on to even bigger and better things in the future.
“The Scottish team is so strong at the moment,” she said.
“Duncan has gained so much experience in a very short space of time and has a really bright career ahead of him. I rate him so highly - and I really think he has what it takes to be the next Adam Peaty or the next Ben Proud. That’s how impressive I think Duncan is - he’s so professional and he’s got such a great attitude so he’s one of those athletes that really has the full package.”
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