Paralympic swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton hails her hero as she collects MBE
The Tokyo 2020 gold medallist was joined by fellow Paralympic swimmer Jordan Catchpole and designer Esmeralda Devlin at Buckingham Palace.
![Maisie Summers-Newton with her MBE, awarded by the Princess Royal during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London. Picture date: Wednesday October 12, 2022 (Kirsty OāConnor/PA)](https://static.the-independent.com/2022/10/12/15/6075ee081e705f98cf6cbec4051cd8efY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNjY1NjY5MjE1-2.69238397.jpg)
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Your support makes all the difference.Paralympic swimming champion Maisie Summers-Newton has said that her long-time idol Ellie Simmonds going on Strictly Come Dancing to ādance her socks offā continues to prove that āanyone can do anything, no matter what disability you haveā.
The 20-year-old Tokyo 2020 gold medallist was joined by renowned autism researcher Sir Simon Baron-Cohen and London 2012 closing ceremony set designer Esmeralda Devlin, among others, as they were recognised by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.
Ms Summers-Newton, who picked up an MBE for services to swimming, described her success in Tokyo as āa dream of mine ever since I watched London 2012ā.
Just seeing someone in that spotlight with the same disability as me, being a female as well, I think that was just so inspiring
She recalled watching Simmonds at the London Olympics when she was just 10 years old, and told the PA news agency: āJust seeing someone in that spotlight with the same disability as me, being a female as well, I think that was just so inspiring.
āAnd then again, now, seeing her on Strictly Come Dancing, I think thatās incredible for the whole nation to watch someone with a disability go out there, have so much fun, dance her socks off.
āI think sheās just proving anyone can do anything, no matter what disability you have, really. Sheās just an inspiration.ā
She described receiving her honour as āsomething I definitely wonāt forgetā, and added that her ambition now is ājust to try and defend my titles.
āI think you can kind of get your medals first, but I think to defend them is something extra special I guess.ā
Fellow Paralympic swimmer Jordan Catchpole, who also saw success with a gold medal and a world record in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay, was awarded an MBE by Anne.
Set designer for the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony Esmeralda Devlin said āit was really lovely to be part of a ritualā as she picked up her CBE for services to design.
However, it was Ms Devlinās more recent work exploring the environment of which she is particularly proud, telling PA: āEvery design decision ends up being an impact on the environment for better or for worse so I think design is really key to the next steps in the right direction on climate, and urgently so.ā
Meanwhile, former Leeds Rhinos and England international rugby player Jamie Jones-Buchanan said it was āa massive honourā to receive an MBE from the Palace.
He added: āIāve always joked that growing up I was always a bit of a fan, it might sound a bit crackers, but a fan of Plantagenet history and the royals and kings and queens and that has always sort of inspired me, itās always put hairs on the back of my neck.
āSo I think that in some symbolic way you can come and be honoured in this way is a real pleasure.ā
The former player became a coach for the Leeds Rhinos, and has recently taken on a new role as head of culture, diversity and inclusivity at the club, and said that his role should āabsolutelyā be replicated in teams across the UK.
āI think there are other clubs such as Wigan Warriors that are taking those kinds of steps and including the community again. Itās always been quite a Northern working-class sport.
āIts biggest strength is also its biggest weakness and thatās been a tribal and parochial almost sometimes, sport.
āBut actually, when we need to and when adversity strikes, we come together exceptionally well and we look after one another, itās very tribal in nature. And so, in this day and age weāve got to be mindful that everybody is a little bit different.ā
Looking back at his career, he added: āIāve played at some big stadiums, Iāve won some big trophies, Iāve got some nice medals Iāve won, but actually itās the people that you do that with thatās most important.
āI think thatās what lifeās all about.ā