Retired Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington "terrified" of the sea

Former professional swimmer Rebecca Adlington has revealed that she has never swum in the sea as she is "terrified" of the creatures beneath her.

The 24-year-old retired from the sport with two Olympic gold medals and two bronze that she picked up during London 2012.

"I've never swum in the sea because I'm terrified of what's ­underneath me," the Daily Star quotes Adlington as saying. "If I'm ­invisible, not even a great white shark will see me."

Adlington decided to step away from the sport in February.