Simmonds shining light as GB swimmers hit gold seam

By Paul Carter

Paralympic swimming sensation Eleanor Simmonds leading the way as Great Britain’s swimming squad pick up a haul of medals at the IPC Swimming European Championships.

On the fifth day of competition in Reykjavik, the 14-year-old stormed to victory in the S6 100m freestyle, to claim her fourth gold medal.

Simmonds had earlier smashed the world record in the SM6 200m individual medley, to go with the S6 400m freestyle and S6 50m freestyle titles she had already won.

GB teammate Natalie Jones had to settle for silver behind Simmonds in all four races.

Speaking after the 100m free, Simmonds said: “I am really happy to have won that because every time I get in to race I want to win.

It is so great to have won that. I have moved on from Beijing because I have come here and won four gold medals instead of the two.”

Fellow Paralympic champion Heather Frederiksen was also in impressive form, picking up three individual European titles, as well as relay gold.

Frederiksen set a new world record in the S8 50m freestyle, showing her strength as she powered through the pool to touch in a time of 31.21 to win the gold and take almost half a second off the world mark.

“That is one that I have been chasing for almost six months and to finally get it is great,” Frederiksen said. “It feels really good to have come here and won the gold medal in that time. I am just really happy.”

Another world record came as part of the 34pt 4x100m relay team, alongside Claire Cashmore, Stephanie Millward and Louise Watkin.

Great Britain’s swimmers have now picked up an impressive 27 gold medals in total, with another two full days of competition still to go.