Eleanor receives an MBE

Monday, 5 January 2009

Eleanor Simmonds, the 14-year-old double Paralympic swimming gold medalist, received an MBE in the New Year Honours List, making her the youngest person - and first minor - to receive an honour.

It really has been a superb six months for Eleanor. In the summer she became Britain's youngest ever Paralympic gold medallist during the Beijing Olympic Games and only last month she won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

Two years ago Eleanor was one of the youngest competitors at the UK School Games winning the 100m disability breaststroke. Back then she was already focussed on making it to the top of her sport and showed a confidence that bellied her years.

Other sporting superstars who dominated the New Year Honours List include: Rebecca Adlington, who opened the UK School Games last summer, received an OBE in recognition of her two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. Christine Ohuruogu and Rebecca Romero who attended our Young Ambassador Conferences last year, were awarded MBEs.

The Youth Sport Trust would like to send their congratulations to all those named in the New Year Honours List.