Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington recently enjoyed a family holiday in Cyprus, returning to a location that holds special memories from her training days.
Adlington, 37, visited the five-star Amathus Beach Hotel on the island's southern coast. This trip marked a break for the new mother, who welcomed her daughter Thea just over five months ago. Thea, her older son Albie, aged five, and husband Andrew Parsons were all part of the holiday.
Cyprus holds significance for Adlington, as she trained with the Team GB squad there in 2008 before winning two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. She also visited the island as a 15-year-old for a Great Britain holding camp ahead of the Athens Olympics in 2004.
During this recent visit, Adlington opted for relaxation rather than rigorous training. The family stayed in a ground-floor suite with a private pool and garden offering sea views. The hotel itself features three outdoor pools, including a family-specific pool with water slides, and an inflatable water course on the sea.
"Cyprus has always been a special place for me since my Olympic training camp days there, so it meant a lot to return with Andrew, Albie and Thea this time," Adlington told the Daily Mail. "The island is just as stunning as I remembered it! Our room completely blew us away too. We don't travel light with kids, so having so much extra space made such a difference."
Adlington, who now works as a TV commentator and runs a swimming program for children, reflected on her past dedication to the sport. She previously noted that holidays were difficult to arrange during her intensive training periods, often seeing only airports, hotels, and swimming pools.
"We were all so incredibly well looked after by the friendliest staff team. This was just a brilliant base for a family trip," she added.
Adlington also has an older daughter, Summer, from a previous marriage. She recently shared her joy at welcoming Thea after experiencing two miscarriages. She spoke about the emotional journey of carrying Thea, describing her as a "rainbow girl" after the losses.
Nick Aristou, the hotel's commercial director, expressed his honor in hosting Adlington and her family, stating that the beachfront location and pool facilities make it an ideal choice for families.