British swimming legend Ellie Simmonds has highlighted the importance of unity as Glasgow prepares to host the largest-ever para-sport medal programme in Commonwealth Games history. The Games, beginning on July 23 in Scotland's second city, will feature fully integrated para-sport programmes in six of the ten sports on display.
Simmonds Calls for Togetherness
Simmonds, who won six Paralympic gold medals during her career, sees the Games as a historic opportunity to introduce new audiences to a wide range of 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.
She added, "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 Para-Sport Programme
Across the full Commonwealth Games programme this summer, there will be a record 47 para-sport medal events, with the first medal-winners to be crowned in para powerlifting. This represents nearly a quarter of the 200 gold medals that will be claimed across ten days of competition at four venues. The Games faced uncertainty after Gold Coast withdrew from hosting, but Glasgow stepped in 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," Simmonds noted. "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 Efforts
Sustainability is a key theme at this year's Games. Simmonds participated in a beach clean at West Kirby Beach in Merseyside as part of the King's Baton Relay celebrations, supported by Geely. The event was part of the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Plastics Campaign, which aims to prevent one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waters by bringing athletes and communities together.
Poppy Maskill Tipped for Glory
Simmonds also predicted success for English swimmers in Glasgow, singling out Poppy Maskill. "She had a great Paralympics in Paris, coming away with multiple golds and multiple medals in general. She broke the world record in the 100m fly at trials, too. William Ellard and Bruce Dee are also ones to watch," she said.
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