Ellie Simmonds

Ellie Simmonds is record-breaking British Paralympic swimmer who won four Olympic Gold medals before the age of 20. Born with achondroplasia, a genetic form of dwarfism, Ellie took up swimming at the age of 5, becoming part of Team GB at just 13. Competing at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, Ellie won two gold medals, a testament to her hard work and determination. In the same year, Ellie was awarded BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year, proving her position as an outstanding role model – Ellie is the ideal speaker to motivate young people and encouraging people to be more diverse and inclusive in sport.

The youngest recipient of an MBE at the age of 14, Ellie has continued to dominate her sport and the hearts of the public – frequently appearing before audiences as an activist for disabled sportspeople and equality in sport. Since her debut at the Beijing Olympics, Ellie has won 14 World titles, 10 European titles and has broken numerous world records swimming in the 400m and 200m races. Proving her impressive dedication to her sport, Ellie is an athletic inspiration.

The poster girl of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Ellie has since been awarded Best British Sporting Performance for an Athlete with Disability at the Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards. Also awarded an OBE for her services to the sport and charity work, Ellie is a patron for a number of organisations, including the Dwarf Sports Association UK. Ellie remains a role model for many, readily sharing her secrets to success with her audience as a motivational speaker. Ellie’s passion and ambition are second-to-none, with her ability to overcome adversity making her the perfect diversity and inclusion event speaker.