The 21-year-old from Mansfield, who won the 400 and 800 metres at the Olympics in Beijing in 2008, has chosen to set-up a winter training camp in Queensland.

"I know from my last time training in Australia that the Gold Coast city facilities are unbelievable and you receive everything you need as an athlete," said Adlington.

"Australians really love their sport and I have seen first hand how it's such a big part of their lives.

"This is my second visit to the Gold Coast city so I knew that there were great facilities for training and plenty of quality competition from Australian swimmers like Stephanie Rice and Meagen Nay, but there's also lots of fun activities you can enjoy."

Among the activities Adlington has enjoyed during her trip as the opportunity to swim with dolphins at Sea World in Queensland.

"After weeks of dedicated training, swimming with dolphins was at the top of my list and it's just unbelievable to come up close and personal with such magnificent and playful sea creatures," she said.

"They enjoy being in the water as much as I do.

"I loved playing with them, finding out more about them and getting an insight into how they are trained.

"If the Gold Coast city wins the 2018 Commonwealth Games I'll be back to watch or compete, and to revisit the dolphins."

The Gold Coast is bidding against Sri Lankan city Hambantota.

The Commonwealth Games Federation is due to choose the host city at its annual meeting in St Kitts and Nevis on November 11, 2011.


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