This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/south_west/7896367.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Youngest MBE Ellie receives award | Youngest MBE Ellie receives award |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Paralympic double gold medallist Eleanor Simmonds has become the youngest ever MBE. | Paralympic double gold medallist Eleanor Simmonds has become the youngest ever MBE. |
| The 14-year-old, who won the 100m and 400m freestyle races at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, received her honour from the Queen. | The 14-year-old, who won the 100m and 400m freestyle races at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, received her honour from the Queen. |
| Walsall-born Ellie, now living in Swansea, was joined at Buckingham Palace by coach Billy Pye, also an MBE, for the honours ceremony. | Walsall-born Ellie, now living in Swansea, was joined at Buckingham Palace by coach Billy Pye, also an MBE, for the honours ceremony. |
| Beforehand, she admitted her excitement had turned to nervousness. | Beforehand, she admitted her excitement had turned to nervousness. |
| Ellie, who also became the 2008 BBC Young Sports Personality after her triumphs in the pool at just 13, was accompanied by her parents and grandmother. | Ellie, who also became the 2008 BBC Young Sports Personality after her triumphs in the pool at just 13, was accompanied by her parents and grandmother. |
| In an interview with BBC Radio Wales before the ceremony, the swimmer said she hoped they did not cry when she stepped up to get her medal, because that "would be embarrassing". | In an interview with BBC Radio Wales before the ceremony, the swimmer said she hoped they did not cry when she stepped up to get her medal, because that "would be embarrassing". |
| When we had the letter I was really shocked, I didn't really know why it is ( but) I feel really honoured by the country, it feels really good Ellie Simmonds | When we had the letter I was really shocked, I didn't really know why it is ( but) I feel really honoured by the country, it feels really good Ellie Simmonds |
| Ellie also said the family who are naturally "very proud" had to keep the MBE a secret until it became public in the New Year's Honours. | Ellie also said the family who are naturally "very proud" had to keep the MBE a secret until it became public in the New Year's Honours. |
| "When we had the letter I was really shocked, I didn't really know why it is ( but) I feel really honoured by the country, it feels really good." | "When we had the letter I was really shocked, I didn't really know why it is ( but) I feel really honoured by the country, it feels really good." |
| However, when asked, she also said that she thought winning the two Paralympic golds beat going to the palace. | However, when asked, she also said that she thought winning the two Paralympic golds beat going to the palace. |
| "Winning the gold medals for sure because if I didn't get those, I wouldn't have got any of this, like getting the MBE or anything like that." | "Winning the gold medals for sure because if I didn't get those, I wouldn't have got any of this, like getting the MBE or anything like that." |
| Ellie, a pupil at Olchfa Comprehensive in Swansea, is now back in the pool and aiming to win more golds at the 2012 Paralympics in London, but also not forgetting her school work. | Ellie, a pupil at Olchfa Comprehensive in Swansea, is now back in the pool and aiming to win more golds at the 2012 Paralympics in London, but also not forgetting her school work. |
| She said: "I'm back in training, back to normal now . I have to focus on school now, because I'm going back to school â¦I like to get back to normality really." | She said: "I'm back in training, back to normal now . I have to focus on school now, because I'm going back to school â¦I like to get back to normality really." |