Ellie Simmonds
Former Paralympic Swimmer, 5x Paralympic Gold Medallist, 10x World Champion & BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2008
Ellie Simmonds OBE has enjoyed a decorated career as a Paralympic swimmer, who made a name for herself in the world of competitive S6 swimming. Born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, Ellie was the youngest competitor at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, setting two world records at the age of 13. To date, Ellie has claimed five Paralympic Gold medals, one Silver Paralympic medal and two Bronze Paralympic medals, as well as ten World Champion titles and seven European Champion titles.
In recognition of her commitments to sports, Ellie was honoured with the appointment of MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours – becoming the youngest person to receive an MBE. In 2013, she was elevated, appointed OBE for Services to Paralympic Sport. Ellie has also claimed the 2008 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award and the 2011 Best British Sporting Performance for an Athlete with Disability at the Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards.
Throughout her career, Ellie has been an advocate for disability rights, acting as an Ambassador of the Dwarf Sports Association UK. In addition, Ellie has also acted as an Ambassador of WaterAid and was appointed as a member of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Board. In 2022, Ellie broke down barriers to appear as a contestant on the 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing, reaching week 7 before being eliminated. Now hired as an IWD speaker, Ellie inspires all women to follow their dreams, no matter what challenges they may face along the way.
Ellie Simmonds is available to hire via The Female Motivational Speakers Agency: https://www.female-motivational-speakers.com/speaker/ellie-simmonds
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