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The Ellie Cole Story
Ellie and her twin sister Brittany, were born in Lilydale, Victoria. -
Ellie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in her leg when she was only two years old.
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After unsuccessful attempts at treatment, Ellie's right leg was amputated above her knee on Valentine's Day of 1995.
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Only eight weeks after her operation, Ellie's parents enrolled her in swimming lessons to assist with her rehabilitation and recovery.
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Within two short weeks, young Ellie amazed her swimming instructors by being able to swim in a straight line. They had expected it to take at least a year!
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Ellie started swimming competitively.
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In the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships in Durban, Eillie won a silver medal in the women's 100 m backstroke S9 event.
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In the same year, Ellie won the 100 m backstroke event at the Telstra Australian Swimming Championships.
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Ellie was a competitor at the Beijing Paralympics where she won a silver medal in the Women's 100 m butterfly S9 event and bronze medals in the 400 m freestyle and 100 m backstroke events.
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Whilst at High School, Ellie was awarded the prestigious 'Debbie Flintoff-King Award' for the most outstanding sporting achievement, three years in a row. She was also nominated for the Junior Paralympian of the Year award.
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Ellie competed in the Para Sport 50 m S9 Freestyle Women Finals Final at the Dr. S.P. Mukherjee Swimming Complex during the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India.
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Ellie competed at the Para Pan Pacific Championships, in Edmonton, winning six gold medals in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke and 200m medley.
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Ellie moved to Canberra in 2012 to train at the Australian Institute of Sport.
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Ellie was once again named in the Australian Paralympic Team, being given the honour of Co-Captain.
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Sadly, Ellie learnt that her coach Steve Young had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.
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Ellie once again proved her champion status by producing fabulous times during competition at the Games. She achieved gold medals in the 100m backstroke and freestyle events, and as a member of the 4 x 100 freestyle relay and the 4 x 100 medley relay teams. Additionally, Ellie won bronze medals in the 50m and 400m freestyle events. She dedicated her performance to her coach. "It is strange to know you are the fastest in the world at something," Cole said. "It is quite overwhelming actually."
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Ellie has future dreams of being a P.E. teacher and returning to Frankston High School
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"Better to get a sore neck from aiming high, than a hunchback from aiming low!"
