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Who is Eleanor Simmonds?
Eleanor Simmonds MBE was born 11th November
1994 and is a British Para-Olympian. Eleanor
competed at the 2008 Summer
Paralympics in Beijing, China in the 50 m, 100 m and
400 m freestyle, 50 m butterfly, and 200 m individual
medley. She swims in the S6 disability category
(Swimmers with full use of their arms and hands, some trunk control but no useful
leg muscles. Swimmers with coordination problems, although usually these athletes
can walk. Also for dwarfs and swimmers with major loss in two limbs). At the age of
13, she was the youngest British athlete in China. She came 5th in the
200 m individual medley and won gold medals in the 100 m
and 400 m freestyle events. She has also won the 2008 BBC
Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

Why is she my sporting hero?p

Eleanor Simmonds is my sporting hero because:

Ñ She has never let her long-term condition stand in

the way of her sporting talent or ambitions.
Ñ Not only has she made it to the Olympics she is now
helping run workshop for others with a similar
condition.
Ñ She had to cope with the intense training of able bodied athletes but she
has also had to cope with her condition and her school life.
Ñ Even with so much going against her she has had enough passion and will
power to continue through the good times and the bad.
Ñ Her commitment to training, school, friends and
family
Ñ Her positive take on life
Ñ Her ability to forget about her disability and get on
with her life

How can someone so young be so wise, so

gracious and such and inspiring role model?