Rebecca Adlington to attend Isle of Man sports awards

Adlington won gold in both the 400m and 800m freestyle at the Beijing Olympics in 2008

Great Britain's double Olympic swimming champion Rebecca Adlington will be the guest of honour at this year's Isle of Man sports awards.

Adlington, who retired from competitive swimming last year, became Britain's first female for 48 years to win gold in the pool in Beijing in 2008.

She said: "I know how popular sport is in the Isle of Man and I'm looking forward to seeing it for myself."

The awards ceremony will be held at the Villa Marina in Douglas on 10 April.

The 25-year-old from Mansfield, who added to her two golds from Bejing by winning two bronze medals at the 2012 London Olympics, will also pass on her knowledge to local swimmers during her short visit.

About 50 individuals and teams will be nominated for awards, culminating in the naming of the sportsman and sportswoman of the year.

The evening will be also feature the presentation of Sports Aid sponsorships for those young athletes who will be supported by Isle of Man Sport Aid in the coming year.

And Isle of Man Sport chairman Graham Cregeen MHK said: "We look forward to welcoming Rebecca and sharing with her many of the Isle of Man's sporting success stories in 2013."

Cyclist Peter Kennaugh and snowboarder Zoe Gillings were crowned the Isle of Man's sports personalities of the year at last year's ceremony.

Kennaugh was part of the British men's cycling team pursuit quartet that won Olympic gold in a world record time at London 2012 - the Isle of Man's first Olympic gold medal in 100 years.

Gillings finished ninth in the snowboard cross event at the Winter Olympics in Sochi on Sunday.