Ellie Simmonds: My top five career moments

From qualifying for Durban 2006 to winning gold in front of home crowds at London 2012, Great Britain’s four-time Paralympic champion Simmonds has a lot to be proud of. 05 Apr 2015
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Ellie Simmonds

Ellie Simmonds won gold in the 400m freestyle S6 on Day 3 of London 2012.

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By Abdullah Mahmood | For the IPC

Competing at a home Games even without what I achieved with the medals was just one of my top experiences and something I will never forget.

Ellie Simmonds is a four-time Paralympic gold medallist and is one of the most recognisable faces in British sport.

Unsurprisingly for somebody with such an impressive track record she has had a number of great moments in her career so far and ahead of the IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Great Britain, from 13-19 July, gave us her top five favourite moments.

1. Qualifying for my first World Championships in 2006 in Durban

I got the junior standard so I was a bit unsure if I was going to be fully on the team, but when it got announced I was so chuffed and just going to Durban - I loved it!

It was the best World Championships, having so much fun being a youngster.

2. My first Paralympic Games

Just going to my first ever Paralympics [at Beijing 2008], it was such a buzz, I'd never experienced anything like it, it was incredible. I would go back any day and I just remember walking into the Water Cube going "Gosh this is such an incredible building” and just loving it.

3. Getting two gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics

The 100m freestyle S6 for me was such a shock and I was so emotional, I was so overwhelmed. It was incredible.

4. Competing at London 2012

Competing at a home Games even without what I achieved with the medals was just one of my top experiences and something I will never forget.

5. My achievements at London 2012

Two golds, a silver and bronze. I'll never forget that and my medals are my most prized possessions.

Simmonds will be amongst 650 swimmers from 50 countries competing at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre from 13-19 July.

Tickets for Glasgow 2015 are on sale now at Ticketmaster from GBP 10/15 for adults for heats/finals. Children under 16 go free (terms and conditions apply).

Heats begin at 10:00 (GMT) every day and finals at 18:00.