Ellie’s Olympic Torch mission
Paralympic swim star Ellie Simmonds has carried the Olympic Torch as it begins its journey around South Korea ahead of next year’s winter Games.
The 22-year-old, from Aldridge, took part alongside former Skeleton gold medallist, Amy Williams, and fellow Paralympic swimmer, Susie Rodgers.
The trio had the flame in Busan, a large port city in South Korea, just days after it had arrived in the country.
The Winter Olympics will be held in the nation’s Pyeongchang County.
A picture of Ellie and the other two sportswomen was posted on Twitter.
Ellie wrote: “What. A. Day. Thank you @SamsungUK for giving me the incredible honour of taking part in the #PyeongChang2018 Olympic Winter Torch Relay!” Amy Williams, posted: “Incredible emotional experience. We’ve helped the Olympic Flame to PyeongChang @EllieSimmonds1 @Susie_Rodgers @SamsungUK #WinterOlympics.”
And Susie Rodgers said: “Amazing day in Busan. @SamsungUK thank you!”
The torch is 700mm in length, representing the altitude of Pyeongchang, which is 700m above sea level.
It arrived in South Korea on Wednesday, and 7,500 torchbearers will now carry the flame on a 2,018-kilometre journey around the country over the next 100 days, travelling through 17 cities and provinces.
It will eventually arrive in Pyeongchang for the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics on February 9.
Ellie is a five-time Paralympic swimming champion having won gold medals at the last three Olympic Games in Beijing, London and Rio.
She has spent the last year travelling across the world, visiting America, China, Mexico, South Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, China and Australia.
Her activities included snorkeling in Shanghai, taking yoga lessons in Mexico and playing football for Britain at the World Dwarf Games in Australia.
Ms Williams won her gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, while Ms Rodgers won gold in the 50m butterfly at the Rio Olympics.
