Ellie Simmonds Quotes

Our parents were very generous, and they always encouraged us to find something we enjoyed and really get into it.

In China they don’t mind getting their cameras out, but I try to go with the flow. In countries where there is not so much disability visible on the streets, they want to know who you are and what you are doing.

My mum took me to swimming lessons when I was very young, four years old.

I jumped into my parents loft where I was actually able to go through all my cards, all the newspaper cuttings that my family collected, and it made me realise just how big London 2012 was – it was huge! That was a Games that I will never, ever forget and it was definitely my highlight.

My plan of going to Tokyo has gone out of the window, but I was able to spend three to four months with my family and I’ve never been able to do that before.

I was 8 when I started swimming training, but it wasn’t until I was 10 when it became more serious so over the next few years I slowly developed a better understanding of my diet.

I recently met Michael Phelps. He is my absolute idol. I was totally starstruck. I did manage to get a few words out.

It drives me forward knowing people are watching me and I have to swim well.

Sunday is my day of rest, which usually includes a lie-in, a pyjama day or just being with my family.

It’s important to give kids a variety of sports. Everyone is an individual, everyone is different but there is a sport out there for everyone.

You’re never going to lose your sport. It’s like riding a bike to be honest.

When I was on the podium singing the national anthem, and the crowd were all singing it, it was definitely… It was a moment to remember, and I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life.

Sometimes I’ll get reminded that I promote Paralympic sport and Paralympics GB. Yes, I have a role but I don’t feel like an idol.

I didn’t really come on the scene nationally until 2008.

I’m a big, big fan of cheesecake, so I love baking that.

People come up to me and say, ‘You’re that swimmer.’

I love the 400m.

People expect you to get golds and it puts so much more pressure on you and if you don’t it’s like you have let yourself down. It is nerve-racking.

I have a coach, a physio and a psychologist.

I’m just going into London to enjoy it as much as I can. Enjoy the experience and just swim the best that I can on the day.

I’m OK travelling, meeting people, seeing the world with my own eyes.

In Beijing the emotion built and built. I was at a Paralympics and I was so nervous. When I achieved my goal all that emotion came out.

I’ve thought about doing sports psychology at university, but it’s quite hard.

I’m quite shy at school.

I’ve got to go out there and do a job and focus on swimming and do my own thing, and I think us athletes can go out there and perform no matter what… This is what we train to do.

I’ve achieved my dream of getting a Paralympic gold medal and I’m very lucky that I’ve been to three Games where I’ve come away with five gold medals.

I think there are definitely times when I feel the expectations on my shoulders and I think it’s because even before I race people expect me to get a gold medal and it’s not the case.

I was really keen on horse-riding, too, but I knew I had to give it up to give more time to swimming.

My school have been so supportive in the balance between my sport and my studying, ever since I won the two golds in Beijing.

I didn’t just swim when I was younger. I did ballet, horse riding, everything. I was very active.

I wear adult sizes but chop off the arms and legs.

I didn’t enjoy Rio. My team-mates were great but some of the staff made it a really negative place.

My philosophy is that there is no point in being sad or hating who you are.

Being at home gives me such a big buzz and just makes me want to perform.

Tuna pasta bake is one of my favourites, its quick and easy to make when I’m busy training.

I feel really honoured to be in the Walk of Fame in Birmingham with so many great people already like Ozzy Osbourne.

I’ve swum with dolphins in Mozambique and with bull sharks off Mexico. They didn’t tell me how dangerous the sharks were until after I got out.

I think it’s really important to show people that there’s nothing different about us; especially as athletes – we train as hard as the Olympians.

It’s really exciting to get the Paralympic sport out there and inspire the next generation – I remember watching the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games that inspired me to want to got to a Paralympic Games.

I love ‘Come Dine With Me.’

I’ve always been focused.

I lived in Swansea Marina and was a minute’s walk from the beach. I used to love going to Mumbles and visiting Gower with its fantastic beaches like Langland, Oxwich and Caswell.

I’m lucky I’ve been able to take control, as an older athlete, and pick who I work with.

You only live once and you need to enjoy life, to go out and achieve whatever you want to.

Sport is a great thing to get involved with, it’s not just fitness but it also gets your competitive side out.