Tim Ball

Double Beijing gold medallist Rebecca Adlington  officially opened a prestigious sports competition in Bath tonight (28 August). The Olympic swimmer, who has become a household name in recent days,  declared open the UK School Games. Adlington, 19, from Mansfield was in attendance at the Recreation Ground in Bath to start the three day event.

The 19-year-old  joined Bath Bullet Jason Gardener at the event at the Rec, which heralds three days of games involving 1,500 elite young athletes. Adlington has won gold in China for the 800 metres and 400 metres freestyle and is the current world record holder at 800-metre freestyle.

The games - a Government initiative in the run-up to the 2012 London Olympics - will see around 1,500 athletes compete across nine sports within Bristol and Bath, including the University of Bath, between tomorrow and Sunday. Sports included will be hockey, badminton, judo, volleyball, athletics, fencing, gymnastics, swimming and table tennis, with disability events in athletics, swimming and table tennis.

The UK School Games will be from the 28-31 August. No tickets are required for the games themselves - just turn up. For schedule and venues visit the UK School Games website.