Eleanor Simmonds
Did you hear about the 13 year old swimmer who won
gold at the Beijing paralympics this year? Her name is
Eleanor Simmonds and guess what? She used to be a
Brownie at the 2nd Aldridge Brownies in Walsall! We interviewed her just before she went out to
Beijing.
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Where were you and how did
you feel when you heard the news that you were going to
Beijing?
In London, on Breakfast Television being interviewed about the Paralympic Games in Beijing. I was really happy and excited and then later when it really sank in I thought it was a great honour to represent Great Britain. |
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Rumour has it that you train eight times a week, totally an amazing 16 hours! How do you keep yourself going?
I keep myself motivated by concentrating on striving to be the best in the world and the best that I can be. |
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| Who inspires you?
People who inspire me are people like Erin Popovich, a disability swimmer from the USA. She is a dwarf like myself so is someone who I can relate to as she has consistently achieved success over the last 15 years, including competing at two Paralympic Games. Beijing will be her third. |
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What are your goals?
In Beijing my aim is to swim the best that I can and gain vital experience for the future. When I went to train at the British Swimming High Performance Centre in Swansea I had three goals:
1.To make the Great Britain Paralympic Swim Team for Beijing.
2. To break the world record.
3. My ultimate goal is to win a Paralympic Gold medal.
I have achieved the first two and I am completely motivated to achieve my third goal.
[Since this interview, we're pleased to tell you that
Eleanor won a gold medal at the 2008 Paralympics. Well
done Eleanor!] |
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How do I find out more
about the Paralympics?
For all the latest news on our Paralympic athletes visit
www.paralympics.org.uk. |
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