Paralympic star Ellie Simmonds turns swim teacher at the Olympic Park
Ellie Simmonds teaches children from Carpenters Primary School to swim at the London Aquatics Centre. Photo credit: John Walton/PA Wire - Credit: PA
Four-time gold medal winner Ellie Simmonds made a splash on Wednesday when she treated pupils to a special swimming lesson.
The Paralympian swimmer was at the London Aquatics Centre, where she won two of her gold medals, to teach a swimming lesson and promote Sainsbury’s School Games campaign.
“I got involved as I have been a Sainsbury’s Active Kids ambassador for six years,” Ellie explained.
“I love meeting children and going to schools and getting the message across. I want to support schools and help children get active and into sport.”
The Summer Games is a series of multi-sport events across the UK which aim to inspire millions of young people to take part in competitive school sport.
Ellie has even participated herself, competing in the first ever Summer Games in Glasgow in 2006 when she was just 11-years-old.
“It was amazing and the first time I’d been to a big multi-sporting event. We went to an opening and closing ceremony and there was an athletes village. I had a whale of a time.”
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Pupils from Carpenters Primary School in Stratford loved the session so much that they even gave Ellie high-fives as they left the pool.
“Ellie has been swimmimg her whole life and it’s inspired me to want to do more sport at school,” said Helena Reta, 11.
Ellie added: “I tell kids that if they enjoy something then they need to go for it, work hard and try their best. There’s something for everyone.”
