Rebecca Adlington, the British swimming legend and double Olympic gold medallist, has announced that she has suffered a late miscarriage and lost her baby daughter, Harper. She shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram account on Sunday, saying that she and her husband Andy Parsons discovered that their baby had no heartbeat during a routine scan at 20 weeks.
Adlington Gives Birth to Her Angel
Adlington, 34, said that she gave birth to Harper on Friday at 7 p.m. and held her for some time. She wrote: “We will forever love and remember her always.” She also praised her husband for his “selfless support, love and help” and said that she “couldn’t have survived without him”.
The former swimmer, who also has a son and a daughter from previous relationships, said that she was not ready to share the news with the public, but felt that she had to be honest about her situation. She wrote: “I can’t pretend to be OK or fake a smile. I can’t have people ask me how pregnancy is or when I am due as I still look pregnant. We are so truly heartbroken. Our beautiful girl. Rest in peace.”
Adlington Receives Support from Fans and Friends
Adlington’s post received thousands of comments from fans and friends who expressed their condolences and support. Among them were fellow athletes Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg Rutherford, Sam Quek, Helen Skelton, and Angellica Bell. Dame Jessica wrote: “Oh Becky I’m sending you and your family so much love. I’m so sorry I.” Rutherford wrote: “Sending love to you. So sorry to read this Becky xx.”
Adlington had previously revealed that she had a miscarriage in August 2022, which resulted in emergency surgery and hospitalization due to sepsis, a kidney infection, and a fever. She had announced her pregnancy with Harper on October 1st, saying that she was “over the moon” and that her children were “so excited” for their new sibling.
Adlington is One of Britain’s Most Successful Swimmers
Adlington is one of Britain’s most successful swimmers, having won two gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the 400m and 800m freestyle events. She also won two bronze medals at the 2012 London Olympics in the same events. She retired from competitive swimming in 2013 and has since worked as a sports pundit, a reality TV star, and a swimming teacher.