Jubilation: Ellie Simmonds celebrates smashing a world record to win gold in the women's 400m Freestyle S6 final swimming competition at the Aquatics CenterThe nation has a new sweetheart. She is 17 years old, swims very swiftly, has a smile to light up a city, and her name is Ellie Simmonds.
Last night, in the bedlam of the Olympic Aquatics Centre, she contested one of the greatest, most compelling races that modern sport has seen.
And in winning gold and breaking a world record, she single-handedly ensured the success of London’s Paralympic Games.
Triumph: Ellie Simmonds waves to the crowd which had packed into the aquatics centre to cheer her to a thrilling victoryEllie, who is afflicted by dwarfism, was already the poster girl of the Games, following her two gold medals four years ago as the youngest British athlete in Beijing.
Back then, she beguiled the country with her charm, her pluck, her unfailing modesty.
But the manner of her victory over controversial American rival Victoria Arlen in the S6 400m freestyle moves her into new territory.
Arlen, 17, made the final only after a last-minute reprieve granted her permission to take part in the S6 category.
Unbeatable: Eleanor Simmonds on her way to the Gold Medal in the Women's 400m Freestyle S6She was originally ruled ‘ineligible’ because her paralysis was not deemed severe enough.
It was a race torn from history’s pages, as unpredictable as it was dramatic.
Arlen set a daunting early tempo, seeking to break the field.
Length by length, the competition fell away. Only Ellie remained, clinging to the pace, refusing to be discarded, revealing the courage that champions possess.
Pride and joy: A beaming Ellie Simmonds receives the cheers from the crowd after collecting her gold medal for the women's 400-meter freestyle S6She timed her effort to perfection, drawing level at the final turn, then pulling away with improbable energy, her arms churning the water like an outboard motor.
She moved clear through the stunning clamour, in a moment to match the triumph of Mo Farah a few Saturdays ago.
And as she touched, with a second to spare, a whole range of emotions flickered across her face; agony, exhaustion, bewilderment, exaltation.
It was a moment she will never forget, and neither will the nation which celebrated it.
It was Britain’s fifth gold medal of a tumultuous day, a day which did more for Paralympic sport than any this country has known.
Glory: Ellie Simmonds, right, celebrates her victory alongside Victoria Arlen of the United States who pushed her all the way in a thrilling 400 freestyle finalIn addition to the wonderful Ellie, there were cycling golds for the husband and wife pair, Barney and Sarah Storey, for Natasha Baker in the individual dressage in Greenwich Park, and for Richard Whitehead in the 200m on the athletics track.
The nation’s appetite and support for the Paralympics has exceeded every forecast.
Once again yesterday morning, 80,000 people turned up at the main stadium to watch sports they barely understood and athletes of whom they may never have heard.
As a demonstration of how dearly the British prize their sport as well as their sportsmen and women, it has never been equalled.
Glory: Great Britain's Natasha Baker celebrates with her gold medal after winning the Dressage Individual Championship Test Grade II at Greenwich Park, London
Richard Whitehead smashed his own world record yesterday in the T42 200m running final. Whitehead, 36, who was born with legs that finish above the knee, completed the race in 24.38 seconds - slicing more than half a second off his record and beating nearest rival, the US's Shaquille Vance, by more than a second
Going for glory: Neil Fachie and Barney Storey on their way to win gold during the men's individual B 1 kilometer time trial cycling final at the velodrome at the Olympic Park during the London 2012 Paralympic Games 
Triumph: Barney Storey, left, and Neil Fachie, right, celebrate their victory in the Men's Individual B 1km Time Trial at the Velodrome in the Olympic Park
What's the Storey! Sarah Storey celebrates victory in the women's individual time trial
Reward: Jon-Allan Butterworth with his Silver medal during the Men's Individual C5 Pursuit Final at the Velodrome in the Olympic Parksource: dailymail
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