Simmonds leads stellar cast of swimmers for National Paralympic Day

The event will take place in London, Great Britain, on Sunday 26 July and will feature swimming, athletics and other activities. 24 Jun 2015

Ellie Simmonds won gold in the 200m individual medley SM6 at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

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By British Paralympic Association

“I have such amazing memories from London 2012, the home crowd created such an incredible atmosphere and their cheers pushed us to give our very best performances. I can’t wait to race there again."

Paralympic champions Ellie Simmonds, Ollie Hynd and Jessica-Jane Applegate are leading an all-star line-up of swimmers set to impress and excite the crowds as part of the British Paralympic Association’s National Paralympic Day celebrations on Sunday 26 July.

With just over a year to go to Rio 2016, 26 of the best British athletes – hot off their World Championships - will take on their international rivals once more when they take to the pool at the London Aquatics Centre.

The team features seven reigning World Champions, including Amy Marren, Claire Cashmore and Hannah Russell, as well as eight current European Champions, including Andrew Mullen, Stephanie Millward and James Crisp.

It will be the first time that Paralympic champion and national heroine Ellie Simmonds will return to the pool where she won so many medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The elite swimming competition will be part of a jam-packed day of activity on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to celebrate National Paralympic Day featuring Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival.

National Paralympic Day is funded by Spirit of 2012, a trust established by the Big Lottery Fund to recreate the spirit that radiated from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics. Spirit is committed to funding partners who help challenge perceptions of disability.

Tickets are available now for the elite swimming competition from Ticketmaster for just GBP 10.

Simmonds, who excelled at her home Games to win four medals, said:

“I have such amazing memories from London 2012, the home crowd created such an incredible atmosphere and their cheers pushed us to give our very best performances. I can’t wait to race there again; to be back in the pool where I won my London 2012 medals is going to be very special.

“I’d really encourage people to come along to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and be part of it. Not only can people can get tickets to come and watch us compete but there’s going to be so a whole load of activity taking place on the park to celebrate National Paralympic Day, so it’s going to be a lot of fun!”

Amy Marren, from nearby Newham, made her Paralympic debut at London 2012. She said:

“It’s so exciting to be back racing in the Aquatics Centre on National Paralympic Day, it was such a great day last year. It is a really exciting part of our competition calendar and it is always so amazing to see so many sports fans and families turn out to support and celebrate the Paralympics.

“As a local girl, I would love for as many families living in local boroughs as possible to come along to National Paralympic Day, buy tickets and enjoy a wonderful day.”

London 2012 gold medallist Ollie Hynd was delighted to see the line-up take shape. He said:

“It’s incredible to think that London 2012 was nearly three years ago, but with Rio on the horizon I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for the public to come out to enjoy Paralympic sport and cheer on their athletes.

“Our World Championships take place just the week before, so hopefully National Paralympic Day will cap a really exciting few weeks for our sport.”

National Paralympic Day sees a day of celebration take place across the country. At Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, an international para-swimming competition hosted by the London Aquatics Centre will take centre stage, at the same venue where GB swimmers won 39 medals at their home Games.

The action takes place alongside the final day of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games, which will incorporate the IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final and see the world’s best para-athletes return to the former Olympic Stadium for the first time in two years.

In addition to the ticketed events on offer at National Paralympic Day, there will be plenty of free activities for visitors on the day. This includes the chance to meet and greet Paralympians, try out a wide range of disability sports and enjoy the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, which will be presenting another exciting line-up of Deaf and disabled artists, musicians and performers.

Full team list:

• Jessica-Jane Applegate

• Rosie Bancroft

• Claire Cashmore

• James Crisp

• Chloe Davies

• Beth Firth

• Tom Hamer

• Charlotte Henshaw

• Oliver Hynd

• Tully Kearney

• Lyndon Longhorne