Rebecca Adlington could reportedly earn a living as a motivational speaker following her decision to retire from competitive swimming.

The 23-year-old announced her decision to bow out yesterday claiming that she is unable to keep up with the youngsters emerging in the sport.

It is believed that Adlington could make a fortune from becoming an after-dinner speaker or forge a career in television.

"Rebecca is a very eloquent talker and can charge quite a high figure because she is so popular," the Daily Mail quotes a London speakers' agency as saying.

"London 2012 athletes start from £4,000, but she would be around £20,000, plus expenses, for an hour-long appearance. She is a very down-to-earth girl and is the sort of person who would stay for longer than her allotted time and happily mingle with people afterwards."

Adlington won two gold medals in Beijing 2008 and double bronze in the London Games last summer.