Ellie Simmonds is a British Paralympian and record breaking swimmer who had gained four Olympic gold medals before the age of 20. An inspiring sports speaker Ellie continues to take part in freestyle swimming competitions, train rigorously, fundraise for charity and even work as an Olympic speaker at corporate events. Born with a genetic form of dwarfism Ellie took up swimming at a young age and was part of team GB at the Beijing Olympics when she was just thirteen years old. Now a popular Olympic speaker, Ellie’s youth makes her the ideal choice of motivational sports speaker for children and young people.
Her work as an Olympic speaker has brought her before large live audiences and on to a number of much-loved talk show sofas, she frequently appears as a spokesperson and Olympic speaker for disabled sportsmen and women and Paralympians and is looked up to by young disabled people with a variety of disabilities. At the London 2012 Paralympic games, Ellie won four medals, taking home two gold, a silver and a bronze medal. She broke a new world record when she won the gold medals, swimming in the 400m and 200m races. Ellie's hard work and determination in accordance with swimming has landed her a number of awards and titles. In 2008 Ellie was given the title of BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
Later in 2011, Ellie was awarded Best British Sporting Performance for an Athlete with Disability at the Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards. Ellie is an advocate for a number of charities, with her interest mainly being centred around sports, young people and clean water. She is a patron for the charity Dwarf Sports Association UK, which holds conventions for sport. Ellie will also join the lineup as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing 2022, swapping her swimming cap and goggles for dancing shoes and sequins!
Presented with an OBE for her services to sport and work as an Olympic speaker Ellie Simmonds is a truly remarkable and dedicated human being, her ambition and determination to succeed has never been hampered by either her youth or her disability and she continues to be an icon to young people across Britain.
In January 2024 we sat down virtually with Ellie Simmonds and discussed her successful career, mental health and the importance of durability and adaptability in sports. Watch our Exclusive Interview with Ellie Simmonds here.
How to hire Ellie Simmonds
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Ellie Simmonds for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Feedback from virtual events and webinars
During the Covid-19 pandemic and the temporary halt of live events, Ellie was booked as an exciting guest speaker for a range of virtual events and webinars. Read her latest feedback below.
"It went really well thank you! We have received some great feedback and Ellie was so great" - Sophie, Events Executive, SR Group
- 2022 - Contestant on Strictly Come Dancing
- 2021 - Competed at the Tokyo Paralympics
- 2021 - Chosen as a flagbearer for Team GB at the Tokyo Paralympics
- 2019 - Named on the Organising Committee for the 2022 Commonwealth games
- 2016 - Won a gold and a bronze medal at the Rio Paralympics
- 2016 - Became the first S6 swimmer to swim under 3 minutes in the 200m individual medley
- 2015 - Won a gold medal, a silver medal and two bronze medals at the World Championships
- 2014 - Won three gold medals at the European Championships
- 2013 - Promoted to an OBE
- 2013 - Won three gold medals and a bronze medal at the World Championships
- 2012 - Won two gold medals, a silver and a bronze at the London Paralympics
- 2011 - Won 'Best British Sporting Performance for an Athlete with Disability' at the Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards
- 2010 - Won five gold medals and a silver medal at the World Championships
- 2009 - Awarded an MBE - The youngest person ever to receive one
- 2009 - Won five gold medals at the European Championships
- 2008 - Won BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year
- 2008 - Won two gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics
- Two Royal Mail postboxes were painted gold in her honour
- Patron of the Dwarf Sports Association UK
- A WaterAid ambassador
- An ambassador for The Scout Association
- Youngest Paralympian to win a medal for GB
- Second youngest Paralympian to represent Team GB
