The 16-year-old from Walsall received the honour as she featured in the latest instalment of the London 2012 mascot film – "Adventures on a Rainbow" – alongside Olympic mascot Wenlock and Paralympic mascot Mandeville.

Like the first episode, the story is written by children's author Michael Morpurgo and follows the mascots as they continue on their sporting adventure across the UK, inspiring young people to take up sport.

As well as Simmonds, Wenlock and Mandeville meet diver Tom Daley, cyclist Shanaze Reid, triple jumper Phillips Idowu, wheelchair rugby player Mandip Sehmiand and discover British icons including a Queen's Guard and a Beefeater.

"It is good to see yourself in cartoon, it really hits home that London 2012 is soon," said Simmonds, who in the cartoon is seen swimming alongside Mandeville.

"I really think it is amazing.

"I love it.

"It's cool and it's got nice eyelashes."

Simmonds added that she hoped the Paralympics would help other youngsters to get inspired to take up sport.

"Paralympics is a big thing, but having it at your home Games is even more amazing," she said.

"I think that what keeps me inspired is doing my best and doing what I love, which is swimming."

The soundtrack to the film is composed by Thomas Hewitt Jones and has been recorded by teenagers from across the UK in the National Youth Orchestra.

London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said: "The film and new website games will continue to engage young people digitally, whilst the mascots continue to visit schools and communities across the UK in the run up to the Games."

To see the new Wenlock and Mandeville film, click here.  

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