The 17-year-old S6 swimmer from Walsall, who is one of the poster girls for the London 2012 Paralympics, will be competing in four events at the Games when she lines up in the 50, 100 and 400 metres freestyle and 200m individual medley.

Simmonds (pictured top) is set to be a strong medal contender in all four events but she admitted here at the ParalympicsGB team launch that she wants take in the experience far more than she did at Beijing 2008.

"Four years ago, I was a 13-year-old girl and the Paralympics was all new to me," she said.

"I didn't really know what was going on back then but now I know all about the Paralympics and how big an event it is.

"My biggest regret from Beijing is that I didn't take it all in.

"I just let it all pass by me, didn't take any photographs and I don't really remember anything about it to be honest.

"But now I've got my camera and even when my kit arrived today, I took loads of photographs so I will remember all of this.


"I'm also doing a diary to put notes about everything so in a few years' time I can look back and see how amazing this London 2012 experience was."

Simmonds also admits that she is trying to block out the medal expectation being put on her by the media.

"It is quite scary because a lot of people expect me to get medals and that might not be the case," she said.

"I just want to give my best and enjoy the experience.

"I won't get the chance to compete at a home Paralympics again so I really want to make the most of this.

"I hope I can do well but I'm not going there putting medal expectations on myself."

Simmonds added that there are two other athletes in her S6 class that she is particularly wary of ahead of the competition in the Aquatics Centre.

"In terms of rivals, Mirjam de Koning-Peper from the Netherlands is one of my old rivals but there is a new girl called Victoria Arlen from America who will be a big threat," Simmonds said.

"Victoria smashed two of my world records recently in the 100 and 400m freestyle so I definitely have to watch out for her."

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