ParalympicsGB star Poppy Maskill gets early birthday treat as she collects MBE

The swimmer, who turns 20 on Saturday, was ParalympicsGB’s most successful athlete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Swimmer Poppy Maskill, who was ParalympicsGB’s most successful athlete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, got an early birthday treat as she collected her MBE from the King.

Maskill, who turns 20 on Saturday, won three gold and two silver medals at the Paralympics and was also given the honour of being a flagbearer at the closing ceremony.

Speaking after collecting her MBE at a ceremony at Windsor Castle, she said: “I am very happy. It is such an honour to receive this award.”

Poppy Maskill is made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the King at Windsor Castle (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

The Cheshire athlete, who was honoured for her services to swimming, won ParalympicsGB’s first medal of the Games with gold in the 100m S14 butterfly in world record time.

She then went on to win golds in the S14 100m backstroke and 4x100m S14 freestyle relay as well as silvers in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley S14.

Maskill is in training for the world championships in Singapore this year and next year’s Commonwealth Games.

“I think I should be alright as long as I try hard,” she said.

Amy Truesdale, 36, of Chester, collected an MBE for services to taekwondo on Tuesday.

Amy Truesdale after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the King at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire — Amy Truesdale after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the King at Windsor Castle, Berkshire (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Truesdale jubilantly celebrated with a one-handed handstand and by performing the splits in the centre of the Octagon following victory over Guljonoy Naimova in the women’s K44 +65kg final.

Cyclist Sophie Unwin, 30, of Stockport, a two-time Paralympic champion from the Paris 2024 Games, collected an MBE for services to cycling.

Sophie Unwin after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the King at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, Berkshire — Sophie Unwin after being made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by the King at an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle (Andrew Matthews/PA)