IN the end it was a silver lining to a golden summer, but Ellie Simmonds had no complaints.
After two golds and a bronze there was some symmetry to her second place as Victoria Arlen, her equally prodigious fellow 17-year old, won the 100m freestyle in a world-record time.
Simmonds now has six Paralympic medals of every hue and it is a collection to which she has every intention of adding, while her rivalry with Arlen could be a duel in the pool to enjoy.
Simmonds posted the fourth fastest time in history but Arlen, three times a silver medallist, bettered her own world record, which she had equalled in the heats, in clocking 1:13.33.
"I would have loved to have got that gold medal but you can't have everything," said Simmonds, who won the 400m freestyle and 200m medley, plus 50m freestyle bronze, earlier in the Games. "Silver is really good. I did the best that I could and I took over a second off my personal best. I have got two gold, a silver and a bronze and I have broken four world records – I couldn't have asked for a better competition. Nothing can prepare you for competing at a home Games, it's just been an amazing experience."
Simmonds admits the pressure of recent days has been tough to take but she hasn't buckled and, when the story of this summer is written, her name will feature high in the list of athletes who defined these Games.
"Beijing's always going to be the best and most special Games for me. I loved it all and they were my first," she added. "This Games has been amazing, though. It's been really good in front of a home crowd and to feel that level of support. I don't want it to end but it is, and I'm just looking forward to celebrating now."
Arlen's Games began by being effectively told she was not disabled enough to compete, and ended with her and Simmonds swapping swim hats and gossiping as they waited backstage to collect their medals.
"Everyone says we're enemies but we're really good friends and we're really pushing each other," said Arlen. "She's been an amazing inspiration to me and I love racing against her. We are only going to keep going at it and keep pushing each other to drive these world records down."
According to those in the know, Simmonds has the potential to make as much money in endorsements as the top competitors of the Olympic team. Like others, most notably David Weir, Jonnie Peacock and Sarah Storey, she has taken disability sport from minority to mainstream and established herself as a household name.
But – with coach Billy Pye listening keenly – she insists her sights will quickly be refocused on returning to the pool.
"Victoria is great, she is pushing me to my limit," Simmonds added. "It's such an exciting rivalry for the future. Next year's World Championships are going to be really good and by Rio hopefully we'll both be swimming even faster, and maybe others will be challenging too. You never know what will happen in life and I could get injured, so it's important to enjoy every second of this experience."
Harriet Lee added Paralympic bronze to her world title with a superb touch to finish third in the SB9 100m breaststroke.
The 21-year-old dug in over the final metres to touch in one minute 19.53 seconds, bringing Britain's 37th medal in the pool as they inched towards their target of 40.
Lee said: "Four months ago I was in intensive care so to finish with a medal is amazing. During the week I've been really ill. I'm trying to stay well, and to get to the blocks has been a battle."
Bank of Scotland, proud supporter of ParalympicsGB and proud partner of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Get closer to the Games at www.bankofscotland.co.uk/London2012
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