SWIMMING

Ellie Simmonds was born with achondroplasia, a genetic condition which causes dwarfism. She first showed an interest in swimming when she was five years old, swimming at the Boldmere Swimming Club in Sutton Coldfield before moving to Swansea for their world-class swimming pools.

Not letting her disability get in the way, she was competing against able-bodied children by the time she was eight, and just two years later she was entered into the British Swimming talent programme. At just 12 years old, she became the youngest member of the senior British swimming squad for the 2006 IPC World Championships.

She first came onto the public scene at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, where she was the youngest British athlete to compete aged 14. With no pressure on her, Ellie stormed to the podium, winning two gold medals, a feat she repeated at the 2012 games in London, also adding a silver and bronze. Her fifth gold Paralympic medal came at the 2016 Rio games.

She announced her retirement from competitive swimming after the Tokyo 2020 games, and instead spends her time on important charity work and other causes.

CHARITY

Ellie often uses her public position to spread awareness of important charities. She is a patron of the Dwarf Sports Association UK, is an ambassador for The Scout Association, and was appointed to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee Board in 2019.

She is also an ambassador for WaterAid, raising awareness on the importance of conserving our oceans and protecting marine wildlife.

MEDIA

Since bursting onto the swimming scene, Ellie has become a spokesperson and famous face for paralympic sport. This has meant her media profile has grown and she can often be seen as a guest star on popular television programmes, including Comic Relief (2023), Would I Lie To You (2023), Strictly Come Dancing (2022), Portrait Artist of the Year (2022), Loose Women (2018-22), Central Tonight (2022), The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee: The Platinum Pageant (2022), A Question of Sport (2013-21), The One Show (2018), The Great Comic Relief Bake Off (2013), and Breakfast (2010-11).

In 2024, Ellie was part of Channel 4’s swimming presenting team at the Paris Paralympic Games.

FOSTER CARE

Ellie was placed in foster/temporary care at just 10 days old and later adopted by loving parents.  She now openly discusses her early experiences and how they shape her views on future fostering and adoption — hoping to raise awareness and encourage others to consider it.

CORPORATE WORK

Ellie has hosted a variety of corporate events, including keynote speaking, event hosting and Q&As.

SPEAKING TOPICS

– Performance Management

– Disability

– Paralympics/Swimming

– Personal Development

– Goal Setting

– Resilience

– Overcoming Obstacles and Uncertainty

– Mental Strength

– Mindset

– Motivation and Inspiration

– Peak Performance

– Foster Care and the Care System

Ellie is a role model for many young people, both able-bodied and disabled, regardless of their interest in swimming. She shares her secrets to success at an elite level with a passion that inspires the audience.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers today to book Ellie Simmonds for your corporate event. 

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