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Golden girl Ellie makes history with an MBE
Paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds has revealed how she feels as though she is living a fairytale after becoming the youngest person ever to receive an award in the New Year Honours list. The 14-year-old from Swansea becomes an MBE to recognise her two gold medals in Beijing despite her age - no minor has received an honour before. Ellie who was born with dwarfism, became Britain's youngest ever individual Paralympics gold medallist in Beijing in September. She said: "The last three months have been a whirlwind. And, while feeling as though I am living a fairytale, I want to work hard to keep my feet on the ground and refocus my efforts on my training and my schoolwork." "That is so by 2012 I can hopefully repay in part the wonderful accolades and affection that I have received, for which I will always remain unendingly grateful, no matter what the future holds." The teenager added the MBE was "a huge and unexpected honour". Ellie was named the BBC's young sports personality of the year earlier this month. She captured the public imagination by crying uncontrollably during a television interview after winning the first gold.
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