Eleanor May Simmonds
- Born:
- 11 November 1994, Walsall, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Paralympic Swimmer, Television Presenter
Early Life and Education
- Diagnosed with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism.
- Began swimming at a young age, encouraged by her family.
- Attended Aldridge School, West Midlands.
Career and Major Achievements
- Made her Paralympic debut at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, winning two gold medals.
- Competed in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, winning two gold, one silver, and one bronze medal.
- Competed in the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio, winning a gold medal.
- Competed in the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo.
- Named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in 2008.
- Appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2009 and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2013 for services to Paralympic sport.
- Since retiring from swimming, has become involved in television presenting, including appearances on shows related to sports and disability awareness. An example includes, for many younger audiences, a stint presenting for Newsround. The newsround ellie simmonds biography includes her post-swimming career in television as an important development.
Notable Works
| Year | Work | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Various | Television Appearances | Including coverage and commentary for Paralympic Games and other sporting events. |
| 2023 | Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family | ITV Documentary exploring adoption and disability. |
Legacy and Impact
Ellie Simmonds is recognized as a highly successful Paralympic swimmer and a prominent advocate for disability awareness. Her achievements have inspired countless individuals and contributed to greater visibility and understanding of disability in sport and society.