Simmonds among five Paralympic champions selected for European Championships

Ellie Simmonds’ dream of representing her country again is set to come true after being named as one of five Paralympic champions to take on Europe’s best in Dublin.

The five-time Paralympic gold medallist was among those putting in starring performances at Sheffield last week, making a splash on her return to home water in the British Para-Swimming International Meet 2018/World Para Swimming World Series.

More than 20 podium places came the way of the British team with Alice Tai – who broke the world record during her time at Pond’s Forge – also making the 24-strong squad that will travel to the Irish city in August for the World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships.

As many as 550 para-swimmers from 37 countries are set to race, with the competition representing the first major international para sport event to take place in Ireland.

And among them will be five British Paralympic champions, with Simmonds, Bethany Firth, Ollie Hynd, Ellie Robinson and Hannah Russell in the team alongside eight swimmers who are making their British senior debuts.

Firth, meanwhile, stoop atop the Paralympic podium three times at Rio 2016, winning the S14 100m backstroke, S14 200m freestyle and SM14 200m medley titles at her first Games representing ParalympicsGB.

There is also a place in Dublin for three-time gold medallist Hynd, while Rio champion Robinson – who stormed to Commonwealth gold on the Gold Coast, in April – will also be battling Europe’s elite.

And the same honour is bestowed upon Russell, the 21-year-old who struck gold twice in Brazil – four years after her silver and bronze medal-winning debut as a teenager at London 2012.

“We have seen some excellent performances at this weekend’s British Para-Swimming International Meet World Para-Swimming World Series,” said Rob Aubry, British Para-Swimming head coach.

“It has shown us that we have many great para-swimmers in this country who can hold their own against, and beat, some of the world’s best.

“The Europeans will be a challenging meet but I’m certain we have selected the right swimmers for the job. I’m delighted that eight swimmers will be making their debut for the British senior team.”

The full squad is: Jessica-Jane Applegate, Jordan Catchpole, Stephen Clegg, Louise Fiddes, Bethany Firth, Grace Harvey, Tom Hamer, Ollie Hynd, Mikey Jones, Tully Kearney, Jacob Leach, Conner Morrison, Andrew Mullen, Zara Mullooly, Scott Quin, Rebecca Redfern, Megan Richter, Ellie Robinson, Hannah Russell, Toni Shaw, Ellie Simmonds, Maisie Summers-Newton, Alice Tai, Lewis White.