The 20-year-old led the resurgence of the sport in Britain last year when she won two gold medals at the Olympics in Beijing.

 

 

Since then, Jo Jackson has broken the 400m freestyle world record – since reclaimed by Federica Pellegrini - and Kerri-Anne Payne has claimed the gold medal in the 10 kilometres open water event at the World Championships.

 

 Adlington believes hosting the Games has been a driving force behind Britain's success and continued improvement and will help inspire the team when the pool events open at the World Championships in Rome on Sunday.

 

She said: "It [London 2012] is all people talk about.

 

"This year has gone so quickly already, it's not four years anymore, it's three years and that is just going to get quicker and quicker. It's going to come round in no time.

 

"You are going to have to keep it on your mind.

 

"The Olympics is the biggest thing you aim for anyway, let alone a home Olympics.

 

"It's completely different, everyone is just so excited for it.

 

"I think that is why in Britain we have moved on so much this year because we are aware the Olympics is coming up."

 

The Mansfield swimmer says she has visited the Olympics site in London several times.

 

She said: "I can't believe how much they have done already.

 

"I can fully see where things are going to be.

 

"You can see the stadium taking shape and you can see where the pool is going to be and where the roof is getting put on.

 

"And you're like - 'What? We've got three years still to go."'

 

Adlington, who hopes to swim all the freestyle events from 200m-800m in the capital as well as the 4x200m relay, believes one of the major benefits of hosting the Games will be the inspiring effect of the crowd.

 

She said: "A home crowd is brilliant, it lifts everybody up.

 

"You can tell that just from when you looked back in the history of where things have been that the nation always seems to raise their game, it always happens."

 

Adlington maintains that the positive effects of London 2012 will outweigh any negatives, especially concerns about the budget.

 

She said: "I think they are right with comments that it is very expensive for our country, especially with the recession.

 

"It is expensive but at the end of the day what you gain from an Olympics in your home country and the pride you feel to represent GB in your home country I think will lift the whole nation."