William Ellard (born 4 April 2006)[1] is a British swimmer, who won three medals at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, including gold in the 200 m freestyle S14 where he set a new world record and Mixed 4×100 m freestyle relay S14.[2]

William Ellard
Personal information
NicknameWill
Born (2006-04-04) 4 April 2006 (age 18)
Beccles, England
Height183.2 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight77 kg (170 lb)
Sport
Country Great Britain
SportParalympic swimming
Disabilityintellectual impairment
Disability classS14
Coached byNicholas Thompson (Nick)
Medal record
Men's para-swimming
Representing  Great Britain
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris 200 m freestyle S14
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Mixed 4×100 m freestyle relay S14
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris 100 m butterfly S14
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Manchester Mixed 4×100 m freestyle relay S14
Silver medal – second place 2023 Manchester 200 m freestyle S14
Silver medal – second place 2023 Manchester Mixed 4×100 m medley relay S14
European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2024 Funchal 200 m freestyle S14
Gold medal – first place 2024 Funchal 100 m butterfly S14
Silver medal – second place 2024 Funchal 100 m backstroke S14
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Funchal 200 m ind. medley SM14

Early life

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Ellard grew up in Beccles in Suffolk.[3] He began swimming at the Beccles Kingfishers Swimming Club, before attending Saint Felix School where he took part in the school's swimming club.[4][5]

Career

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In 2023, Ellard claimed gold at the Men's 100m Freestyle in the British World Series.[6] He went on to win three medals at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester.[4]

Ellard competed in the 2024 Summer Paralympics. He took the silver medal in the 100 m butterfly S14, before winning gold medal in the 200 m freestyle S14, lowering the world record previously set by Reece Dunn by over a second. He also won gold in the Mixed 4×100 m freestyle relay S14.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "William Ellard". Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. ^ "ELLARD William". Paris 2024 Paralympics. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  3. ^ a b Cunningham, Alice (4 September 2024). "Paralympic record-breaking swimmer Will Ellard claims he can go faster". BBC. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "William Ellard looking to impress in Paris after incredible breakout year". Swimming.org. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  5. ^ Cunningham, Alice (28 August 2024). "Swimmer, 18, eyes up medals in first Paralympics". BBC. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  6. ^ Brown, Bruno (5 April 2023). "Beccles: William Ellard takes gold in British World Series". Beccles & Bungay Journal. Retrieved 6 September 2024.