Adlington was the favourite to claim gold in one of the events she won at Beijing 2008.

The 800m was also the discipline in which she took gold at last year's World Championships, and Adlington won today's race in a time of 8min 18:54sec, the third fastest time for a British swimmer.

"I am so pleased," said Adlington, who also won the 400m freestyle last Monday (March 5).

"The 800m is the one I love the most and I wanted to do well tonight.

"I didn't have a target, I just wanted to qualify."

Adlington has been coy about her chances at London 2012 leading up to this summer, insisting that she was not even confident of qualifying coming into these trials, but she described making it to the Olympics this year as a "dream."


"Everyone's dream is to go to a home Olympics," she said."I am going to keep working hard so that I am ready for the summer.

"I will sit down with my coach and discuss what the plan is.

"We didn't even discuss what happens after this week.

"I don't know what's next.

"Everyone is wanting to improve, so game on.

"It's just about making sure we stay injury and illness free.

"It is so great to come out and hear the cheers, I have never had that before.

"Swimming here is a nice warm up for us.

"It is good to be familiar with the pool and we have that now."

Silver went to 19-year-old Eleanor Faulkner, who achieved her first individual qualification time, ahead of Keri-Anne Payne, the 10 kilometres open water world champion.

Elizabeth Simmonds won the 200m backstroke title to secure her spot at London 2012, ahead of Stephanie Proud and Karley Mann.

"It's a massive relief," a relieved Simmonds said.

"There's a lot of things I can improve on in that race.

"I've burned up a lot of energy this week due to nerves.

"To have to wait until almost the last race of the trials to make it is tough.

"It was about me going in and having a blast, that's when I swim my best.

"That's what I need to do.

"I know that's what works for me and what I have to do in the future."

The 100m men's butterfly was won by Michael Rock, who also qualified for London as a result of his victory, coming in front of Jack Marriott and Antony James.

"That's a big sigh of relief," Rock said.

"I have had a disappointing couple of days so it's been really important to regain my focus and have this wonderful opportunity to make the team tonight.

"There was extra pressure tonight because I didn't produce a good enough performance in the 200m."

Men's 50m freestyle gold went to Adam Brown, who missed out on Olympic qualification despite victory in a time of 22.48sec, with Craig Gibbons second and Simon Burnett third.

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