British swimming legend Ellie Simmonds has emphasised the importance of unity as Glasgow prepares to deliver the largest-ever para-sport medal programme in Commonwealth Games history. The Games, which kick off on July 23 in Scotland's second city, feature fully integrated Para sport programmes in six of the ten sports on display.
A Historic Opportunity for Para-Sport
For Simmonds, who won six Paralympic gold medals during a storied career in the pool, this presents a historic opportunity to bring new eyes to all disciplines. “I love sport and it’s really important to see that unity. We’ve got Olympic sports and non-Olympic sports but also Para-sport all together. It’s a wonderful celebration,” said the 31-year-old.
“We’ve got so many events that people would probably never watch before but they’re going to watch in the summer. At the Winter Olympics, we all got glued to curling – not many people would expect to get glued to curling but we did. You get connected with sports that you probably never would have watched before. That’s the thing with the Commonwealth Games. It’s countries from all around the world coming together and it’s great to have Para-sport and non-Para sport being a part of that.”
Record Medal Programme
Across the full Commonwealth Games programme this summer, there will be a record 47 Para sport medal events, with the first medal-winners of the Games to be crowned in para powerlifting. This represents nearly a quarter of the 200 gold medals that are set to be claimed across the ten days of competition, with four venues ready to host.
The Games faced uncertainty after the Gold Coast withdrew from hosting, but Glasgow stepped up to keep the event alive. “There was a bit of upheaval but Glasgow came in and after having the Commonwealth Games in 2014, it’s great to reuse all the sporting facilities that we’ve got,” added Simmonds. “We’re in a world where there are so many bad things going on, but hopefully sport and the Commonwealth Games gives a bit of positivity in the world.”
Sustainability and Community Engagement
Sustainability is featuring prominently at this year’s Commonwealth Games. Simmonds spoke as part of the King’s Baton Relay celebrations at West Kirby Beach in Merseyside. The 14-time world champion participated in a beach clean along with members of the local community as part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, which aims to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waters.
English Swimming Prospects
Following her success in keeping the waters clean, Simmonds is anticipating further English glory in the pool this summer, tipping Poppy Maskill to deliver silverware. “She had a great Paralympics in Paris, coming away with multiple golds and multiple medals in general,” explained Simmonds. “She broke the world record in the 100m fly at trials, too. William Ellard and Bruce Dee are also ones to watch.”
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