SWIMMING NEWS - "I just hated swimming and everything about it," the 23-year-old told BBC Sport.
But instead of retiring, the five-time Paralympic champion took a break after winning gold and bronze in Brazil and went travelling while she considered her next move.
Her time off included camping under the stars in the Australian outback, an emotional trip to the Water Cube in Beijing plus visits to Thailand, America, Mexico, South Africa and Vietnam and a chance to see more than just the airport, hotel and swimming pool frequented by a competitive swimmer.
It allowed her to be Ellie Simmonds and not Ellie the swimmer, do the things that other 20-somethings do, enjoy the experience and see where that journey took her.
