Simmonds: Life changing gold hasn't changed me

ELEANOR Simmonds insists fame hasn't changed her following her double Paralympic gold in Beijing.

The youngest member of Britain's team, aged just 13, won gold in both the 100m and 400m freestyle at the Water Cube to secure her place as one of the face's of the Games.

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And last night her year ended in glittering style as she was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year, beating off competition from junior Wimbledon champion Laura Robson and Olympic diver Tom Daley.

"It's been amazing ever since I came back from Beijing," admitted Simmonds, who was born with achondroplastia or dwarfism.

"People stop me in the street to say hello and well done and I always get recognised when I'm in the shops now.

"But I'm just the same Eleanor, nothing has changed."

Simmonds, who was born in Walsall but is now based at British Swimming's high performance centre in Swansea, is targeting next year's IPC European Championships in Reykjavik and the World Championships in Eindhoven one year later.

She will also hope to be a part of the British squad at next year's Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

"It's been a fantastic year but the standards are always improving and there is always someone coming through to challenge you," added Simmonds.

"2008 has been great but I'm hoping 2012 will be even better, so I've got to keep focused on the future and keep working hard."