Sarah's delight at Olympic swimming medals

Swimming medallists Rebecca Adlington with her gold and Joanne Jackson with her bronze

A SCARBOROUGH teacher, who is attending the Olympic Games in Beijing, has described her joy at seeing Rebecca Adlington claim Great Britain's first Olympic gold medal in swimming for 20 years.

Sarah Hill, 32, is in the Chinese capital as a representative for British Swimming and witnessed the Mansfield teenager's dramatic win at first hand.

Miss Hill said: "We were sat in the crowd watching the women's 400m freestyle race knowing we had two Brits in the final, but not really expecting to achieve a medal.

"Throughout the race our girls swam well but were nowhere near the front.

"But then as the final 25m came, Rebecca appeared to find a surge of energy and pulled back the race stroke by stroke to win."

Fellow Brit Joanne Jackson, from Nortallerton, took the bronze medal in the race. Miss Hill, who has taught at St Peter's Primary School for the past eight years, said she was thrilled at the double success.

She said: "The whole crowd erupted in shock, disbelief and elation, and Joanne achieving the bronze just added to the celebrations.

"Rebecca and Joanne just looked overwhelmed and very emotional on the podium as the flags were raised. Sharron Davies, the BBC commentator, could also be seen wiping a tear from her eye as the anthem was played."

Miss Hill has worked for the Amateur Swimming Association as a community swimming coach for three years.

She was chosen to go to Beijing after she was nominated by fellow Scarborough swimming coach Sam Greetham.

Miss Hill, who also works at Scarborough's indoor pool, believes the results bode well for Great Britain's chances at the London Olympics in four years' time.

She said: "The feeling among Team GB is one of elation and success, and the team are making great strides forward towards London 2012."