Teen Simmonds claims she can cope with London 2012 expectations

By Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat

DOUBLE Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds insists she can handle the weight of expectation on her young shoulders after smashing a host of records at the IPC World Championships.

CONFIDENT: Ellie Simmonds won four world titles in Eindhoven earlier this month - and broke three world records (Getty Images)

The 15-year-old, who last year became the youngest MBE in history, scorched her way to four gold medals in Eindhoven, and bagged herself three world records to boot.

Simmonds topped to podium in the 50m, 100m and 400m freestyle events, collecting world records in the latter two, while she rounded off her sparkling week by carving nearly two seconds off the 200m medley world record en route to gold.

Ever since Simmonds returned home from the Beijing Paralympics in 2008 as a 13-year-old double gold medallist, the media spotlight has never left her side - but she is adamant she feels no added pressure to perform.

"At the World Championships I won four gold medals and I am so happy about that," she said. "Some of the world records I haven't broken for a while so I felt really good to do it there.

"So to do as well and produce those kind of performances was a great feeling and it has filled me with a lot of confidence.

"I'm still quite young but I have always been able to deal with pressure.

"I like pressure and I like nerves because when I am nervous I know I am going to perform to the height of my capabilities.

"It is now only two years until the Paralympic Games in London so this is a great chance to show what you can do."

At the London 2012 Paralympics, Simmonds is set to be among the star attractions and her face will become synonymous with the Games as the countdown, which will pass the two-years to go mark this Sunday, continues to tick.

Simmonds was the jewel in the crown of a stellar British swimming team at Beijing 2008, which garnered 41 medals in the Far East - 11 of which were gold.

And Simmonds is convinced she can repeat the trick in home waters.

"It is good to test yourself against the best in the world with two years to go, and it means you know where you are at and where everyone else is at as well," she added.

"I want to hopefully defend my title from the Paralympic Games and show I am still the best in my event.

"I don't think it is too difficult to maintain my standards from Beijing because I always set myself really high standards."

And the teenager's ultimate ambition is to match the achievements of Tanni Grey-Thompson, Britain's most successful Paralympian with 15 medals, including 11 golds.

"London 2012 is massive because it's at home but I've got lots more Games ahead of me and I'd love to be as big and successful as Tanni," added Simmonds.

This weekend is two years to go to the Paralympics – plan your games at www.london2012.com