Special visit to United Nations in Geneva following British Championships. 11 March 2011

David Roberts has today addressed the Human Rights Council in Geneva on London 2012 and the rights of people with disabilities.

More than 100 delegates from the United Nations attended the meeting with guest speaker David Roberts, joining Sir Philip Craven, Chair of the International Paralympic Committee, and Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-General on Sport for Development and Peace.

The meeting aimed to promote inclusiveness in line with international human rights work on disabilities. David, who has won a total of 11 gold, four silver and one bronze medal at three consecutive Paralympics, equalling Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson as the most successful British Paralympian ever, was invited to the Human Rights Council as the only guest international athlete.
He said: “London 2012 will be the last Paralympic Games I hope to compete in and we all have aspirations that it will raise the bar from previous years even higher. Great Britain has the potential and capability to create something that no one has ever seen before. I am very proud to be British and to have the Paralympics on my home soil makes it even more special to me. My dream and hope is win one more gold to add to my 11 in total, in order to become the most successful British Paralympian ever.

“I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 11 and I suffered growing up from discrimination in various forms. It was difficult for me and I always felt like an outsider because I did not fit in with able-bodied children. I started swimming as a form of physiotherapy and it changed my life forever.  I come from a working-class home and, thanks to the support of my family who never gave up on me, I have managed to pursue an amazing career in swimming.

“People with disabilities should have the same right to participate in sporting activities at all levels and I believe we should have the equal right to access these activities. This is where Great Britain prides itself in the fact that we have come very far in comparison to other countries when it comes to equal rights in society.

“The eyes of the world will be on us in 2012 watching this magnificent event. I believe that Great Britain will set new world standards and this enormous festival of sport will hopefully change public attitudes towards disability.”

Two days before travelling to Geneva, David won the 100m Freestyle at the British Swimming Championships in Manchester and has also now secured his selection for the IPC European Championships in July.