REBECCA ADLINGTON has set her sights on a hat-trick of gold medals as Girl Power ruled in the pool.

Teenager Adlington is the first British girl to win an Olympic swimming final in 48 YEARS — long before the Spice Girls were even born.


The 19-year-old’s amazing 400 metres freestyle win was backed up by a bronze in the same event for best pal Jo Jackson, 21.


And it came the day after cyclist Nicole Cooke went straight to the top of the charts by landing GB’s first gold here at the Olym-chick Games.


Mansfield lass Adlington said: “I was so glad it was a girl who won the first gold.


“I’ve followed up with another gold and my best mate Jo claimed a bronze in the same race.”

Adlington has more chances to claim her hat-trick when she goes in the 200m freestyle relay heats tomorrow and her favourite race, the 800m on Thursday.


Her win sparked amazing scenes at the Water Cube as Anita Lonsbrough, the last British woman to win gold in the pool back in 1960, cheered her on.


Adlington touched home in 4min 03.22sec with Jackson just 0.30sec behind.


Gold medal favourite Federica Pellegrini of Italy finished way back in fifth in 4:04.56.


Adlington said: “I just can’t tell you how great it felt to be standing up there on the podium. Looking at the flag with my best mate beside me is something I can never forget.