Record-breaker Ellie Simmonds puts her stamp on gold medal
SHE was the darling of the pool four years ago in Beijing, when at the tender age of 13 she stood cryng on the podium to receive her first Paralympic gold medal.
Fast forward four years, and Ellie Simmonds has done it once again!
The Olchfa Comprehensive School pupil became the queen of the pool on Saturday evening as she dramatically defended her title by smashing the world record in a pulsating, nail-biting race.
Despite trailing for much of the tussle, Ellie, 17, powered home in the final 50 metres, beating the previous world record set by American Victoria Arlen by an incredible five seconds.
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Her gold medal victory in the 400m freestyle not only had the Aquatics Centre in raptures but she has also been the toast of the city since her win.
Father Tim Williams, who is chairman of governors at Olchfa, said it was a proud moment for the school, Swansea and British sport.
He said: “We are all proud of Ellie. Her win is wonderful for sport in general and she is an inspiration to us all. We are all very proud of her at Olchfa. She is a great ambassador for our school and shows that, with determination, you can achieve anything.
“I was on the edge of my seat watching her swim. I was so nervous for her. To come back in the way she did was truly amazing. I was shouting and screaming at the television and I can’t wait for the rest of her races.”
Father Williams said the school would be holding celebrations to mark Ellie’s record-breaking win.
“When she came back from Beijing we marked her success and I am sure there will be more celebrations on the way. With the pupils starting back this week I am sure there will be a lot of excitement around the school.”
Ellie, who has achondroplasia, a short limbed dwarfism condition, lives during the week with her mother Val in Swansea’s Maritime Quarter — a choice she so she can be near her Welsh coach Billy Pye and the 50metre pool at Wales National Pool in Sketty Lane.
Her parents have hailed their daughter’s London 2012 gold medal win as the “most incredible” achievement of her already glittering career.
Dad Steve said: “That was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen her do. The 400metre world record has got Eleanor Simmonds’s name written all over it and she wanted it back. It was the top of her Christmas list and she’s got it.”
The Royal Mail will be issuing a commemorative Ellie Simmonds stamp which will be on sale from tomorrow.
Ellie’s victory has also become a talking point on social networking site Twitter.
Swansea councillor Pearleen Sangha tweeted: “Way to go Ellie! You’ve made Swansea Proud!”
Swansea City Centre congratulated “Our star Ellie Simmonds” on the site and another well wisher added: “You have done the whole of Wales, Great Britain and Olchfa proud, another gold medal, we were all screaming for you. Well done!”
Wales’s First Minister Carwyn Jones said Ellie was held in the highest regard in the principality.
He said: “To win gold at two games is quite an achievement but to do this by the age of 17 is incredible.”
Comments
by seasolder
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 7:33PM
“Swansea has been very slow and poor in reconising the acheivements of our golden girl. Elli is an example to us all with her determination to be the best.
Yes Elli was born in Walsall, though her parents bought her to Swansea when she was 8 years old, she attended primary school in Tycoch and is now attending Olchfa, where she is in the 'A' Levels form.
Elli has been been awarded East Midlands sports women of the year---B.B.C sports personallity--- and been awarded the M.B.E by our Queen. Elli is now 17years of age living in our city for over 9 years. To me Elli is now a Swansea girl and Swansea should be proud to reconise how lucky we are to have such a wounderful youngster, who is not only a world record holder,but also the holder of so many gold medals living amongst us all in Swansea.”
by odinhouse
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 3:27PM
“''' Very Good Readers '' they have all ready Painted one in Walsall England , more likely they are doing one for Swansea because there may be some glum faces if they did not put one in Swansea City , but like i said 1st BOX was done in Walsall ." and what if she had only won one Gold......? GOOD LUCK For Tonight Ellie , she goes like a bullet ( 3rd Gold ) i hope.”
by Neathboy234
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 2:25PM
“I shall being buying her stamps, and at a reduction in price of 50% because I've already bought the first Olympic set. Well done, great to see an English girl being taken to Welsh peoples hearts.”
by gorseboy
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 2:15PM
“odinhouse
Yes I have plenty of things I could do,it's just that I am a pedant where the English language is concerned.No offence intended.”
by odinhouse
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 11:54AM
“gorseboy "' Very Good '' , But its their second choice as they have all ready Painted one in Walsall England , more likely they are doing one for Swansea because there may be a Big fuss if they did not put one in the Swansea Area , but like i said 1st BOX was done in Walsall ." . PS have you not got Any thing better to do than Look at where dots Etc goes - WALES'”
by gorseboy
Monday, September 03 2012, 8:35PM
“stagedriver
They can put one in each,Walsall and Swansea.
WHAT a GUTSY display of what she wanted to do.
BTW odinhouse the country is WALES not a possesive of Wale.”
by odinhouse
Monday, September 03 2012, 6:40PM
“stagedriver .... Well it may be in England where she was born, she now lives in Swansea and goes to school and Trains in her Local area, its a Pity she was not Born in Wale's , it will be interesting to see if Swansea gets a Gold Post Box...? or her place of Birth. Walsall ...? i am not being funny about it - but it is the Truth ,”
by williamwaun
Monday, September 03 2012, 4:31PM
“Brilliant news, the girl is amazing and always smiling. Good luck for the future”
by stagedriver
Monday, September 03 2012, 4:09PM
“Where will her gold post box be?”