DOUBLE Olympic champion Rebecca Adlington is convinced Swindon-born Hannah Miley will reap the rewards for years of hard work by challenging for a London 2012 medal this summer.

Miley has long been famed for her dedication to the cause, never more noticeable than at the British Gas Swimming Championships in March, in which the Swindon swimmer barely seemed to miss a race.

This was part necessity, because as a medley swimmer Miley needs to master four different strokes, and part work ethic as her father and coach Patrick is a notorious taskmaster, but the graft is certainly delivering results.

Miley will arrive in the capital as the World Championship 400m medley silver medallist and a favourite to climb the London podium.

Adlington knows all about the pressures the favourite tag attracts, but she believes Miley has the skills, and the work in the bank, to deliver on her promise this summer.

“If Hannah was to get a medal she deserves, which I’m sure she can do, then that would definitely be a popular and deserved medal with me,” said Adlington.

“Hannah is such an insane athlete - she is incredibly talented and her work ethic is incomparable. She’s just like a little pocket rocket, someone puts batteries in her and she just goes.

“She is now a world-class athlete and is capable of challenging and competing with any athlete in the world come the London Olympic Games - she really is that good.

“Hannah is the model athlete and she will definitely reap the benefits of four years of hard training and competing when it comes to the Games. All that hard work will pay off because she does work is so dedicated.

“I don’t think I have ever heard a bad word come out of her mouth. The rest of us will moan every now and then but Hannah will never do that.

“She is so positive in everything and I know she will do well in the summer and I can’t wait to watch her in the 400m medley in particular because she has a fabulous chance of winning a medal.”

Miley will also compete in the 200m medley in London and Adlington’s admits the Garioch ASC ace’s staying power reminds her of arguably the greatest swimmer of them all.

“Hannah Miley can do any event,” Adlington added.

“I often say ‘Hannah, are you not tired?’ and she says ‘no, I’m fine’ and keeps going. And she picks the most insane, hardest events as well.

“It’s not like she’s picking the easy ones, the medley is a difficult proposition and she is nailing it.”

  • REBECCA Adlington is a British Gas ambassador. British Gas is getting the nation to show its support for the British Swimming Teams and is giving away free swims. Simply visit www.britishgas.co.uk/freeswimming.