Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington has introduced her first child in an exclusive interview and photoshoot with HELLO! magazine.Revealing that she and her personal trainer husband Harry Needs have named their daughter Summer, Rebecca tells HELLO!: "Giving birth was definitely harder than winning those gold medals," - and says she already has plans for their honeymoon baby to follow in her sporty footsteps.
Rebecca Adlington with her newborn daughter Summer
"I really would love her to get into the world of sport," the gold medallist revealed to HELLO! about Summer, who was born on 8 June. "But I'm not bothered if it’s not swimming. I just feel sport gives you so much more in life. My sport taught me everything that I am today, be dedicated and driven, committed, and you get to travel the world and meet amazing people!"Explaining the name, Harry says: "When we realised Becky had won her medals in summer, that we got married in summer, and that our baby was born in summer, it made perfect sense to name her after our favourite time of year. "Rebecca managed most of her labour in a birthing pool, as planned, but had to get out when complications arose just before Summer was born. But she said the hard labour was worth it. "It was the most painful thing I have ever done but also the most rewarding. Winning medals doesn't really make a difference to real life but bringing a new child into the world is without a doubt our greatest achievement."
Read the full interview and see all the beautiful pictures in the new edition of HELLO! magazine, out now.