Career
She represented the Republic of the Philippines at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing in the sport of swimming for the 100-meter freestyle event. Simms passed the Olympic qualifying standard for the 100-meter freestyle swimming event at 57.17 seconds on August 8, 2007 at the United States of America Junior National Swimming Championships at Indianapolis. So far, Simms has broken 54 individual Hawaii State records since she was 9 years old.
She recorded a 57.12-second time for the 100-meter freestyle heat and 26.38-second time for the 50-meter freestyle—both passing the United States of America Olympic trial cut.
Simms was the seventh female representative in the entire history of the Republic of the Philippines to compete in the Olympics, since the country first participated in the Paris 1924 games. Throughout her swimming career, Simms has continued to play a leadership role among Hawaii swimmers.
A regular week of training for Simms typically includes a comprehensive exercise schedule of both swimming and dry land exercise – three to four hours each day, six days a week – totaling up to 18 to 24 hours a week. As a 6-year Hawaii Swim Club member, Simms trains 3 times a week at the Salt Lake Recreation Center and 3 times a week at the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Waipio, Hawaii.
Christel"s full name is Joan Christel Simms but she is known to her peers as "Christel.".