Eleanor Simmonds

Eleanor Simmonds (born 11 November 1994 in Walsall, West Midlands [cite web|url=http://www.paralympics.org.uk/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=660&filetitle=ParalympicsGB+squad+for+Beijing|title=ParalympicsGB squad for Beijing|accessdate=2008-08-09] ) is a British Paralympian swimmer who has achondroplasia.

Simmonds 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. [cite web|url=http://www.paralympics.org.uk/core/core_picker/download.asp?id=680&filetitle=Swimming+Team+Biographies|title=GB Swimming Team Biographies|accessdate=2008-08-09] She swims in the S6 disability category. At the age of 13, she was the youngest British athlete in China. [cite web|url=http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/living/sport/gb-squad-takes-shape|title=GB squad takes shape|accessdate=2008-08-09] She came 5th in the 200 m individual medley and won gold medals in the 100 m and 400 m freestyle events. [cite web|url=http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gCvjmQ5cN0yxuU589SZpJC4maCzQ|title=Simmonds secures gold|last=The Press Association|date=2008-09-08|publisher=Google|language=English|accessdate=2008-09-08]

She lives part time in Swansea and trains for two hours at a time in nine training sessions per week. Before moving to Swansea, she swam for Boldmere Swimming Club in Sutton Coldfield, with the help of coach Ashley Cox.

See also

* Swimming at the 2008 Summer Paralympics

References