Upon moving to Adelaide from the UK, Frances Adcock’s first venture into elite sport was in triathlon, representing SA. Such was her burgeoning talent, she was selected into the SA Sports Institute Cycling Talent ID squad.
Following her retirement from competitive swimming, Frances Adcock, who was born in Nottingham, England, earned degrees in Journalism and International Studies.
A self-confessed inquisitor who kept asking questions, it was a natural step into sports and news reporting, ultimately settling on her professional career as an ABC journalist.
But when it came to swimming, it was her parents’ decision to move to Australia from the UK as a teenager, that her helped intensify her interest in the sport.
On arriving to Adelaide, she joined the Norwood Swim Club and specialised in backstroke.
But her first venture into elite sport was in triathlon competition, representing SA in the event. Such was her burgeoning talent, she was selected into the SA Sports Institute Cycling ID squad.
Of the three triathlon events, swimming was discovered to be her strongest, so in the year 2000 she transferred her SASI scholarship to swimming, under coach Glen Beringen. She was soon named SASI female swimmer of the year.
Her progression from that point was rapid. At age 17, she made her first Australian team to the East Asian Games where she finished 5th in the 100m Backstroke.
A year later she touched 7th in the 100m backstroke final at the World Short Course Championships.
At 19, and seeking further improvement internationally, Frances relocated to the AIS in Canberra. That same year, 2003, she was selected for the World Championships in Barcelona, qualifying for the 200m Backstroke semi-final.
As time progressed, and perhaps due to her aerobic triathlon background, the longer 200m races seemed to suit her performances. At the Athens 2004 Olympics, Frances once again qualified for the semifinal of the 200m backstroke.
At international events such as the US Open, Pan Pacific Championships, and Mare Nostrum Tour Barcelona, Frances Adcock won silver and bronze medals in individual backstroke events and medley relays.
She also held National long and short course titles in the 200m backstroke.
She has been inducted into Swimming SA’s Hall of Fame.
