11-time Paralympic Gold Medallist David Roberts still in with a Chance to join Paralympic Team After Appeal. 14 June 2012

Today, 11-time Paralympic gold medallist David Roberts has won an appeal that could see him join the GB Paralympics team for London 2012.

After a two-month process, an appeal committee has confirmed today that British Swimming national performance director, John Atkinson, will be required to reconsider Roberts’ selection to the team.

The appeal was being led by the legal team at Roberts’ agent, Definitive Sports Management, which is part of Welsh law firm Dolmans and offers a mix of professional sports services as well as legal expertise.

Welshman Roberts, 32, made his Games debut 12 years ago and since then he has won 11 gold medals in three appearances, including four in Beijing’s 2008 Paralympics.

He was not part of the originally selected 16-strong GB Paralympic swim team after suffering from a string of injuries and illnesses over the last three years, including a bout of pneumonia earlier this year, which saw him miss the first British team trials in March when he was advised to cut back on training by doctors. The effect of this injury and illness is something that Mr Atkinson will need to take into consideration when deciding whether Roberts will be selected.

Since the team was announced, Definitive has pursued the appeal for Roberts to overturn the initial decision not to select him. The Appeal Committee today decided in Roberts’ favour, which means that British Swimming will now reconsider Roberts as a possible competitor in the London 2012 Games where, if selected, a single medal win would see him eclipse Tanni Grey-Thompson as Britain’s most successful Paralympian.

Roberts said: “Words just can’t describe how I feel right now. As a professional athlete I eat, sleep and breathe the Paralympics and it’s a fantastic feeling to know that, after months of waiting and hoping, I could still be part of such a strong team in such an amazing event.

“It was my dream to compete in the Paralympics in Britain, in the home nation of my family and friends, but when I heard I didn’t make the team my dream was totally shattered. Now I feel vindicated in taking the appeal process this far – it’s incredible to come away with a decision in my favour after such a difficult last few months.

“At times it was hard to keep going, continuing to train when I didn’t have a clear goal to train for, but I’m so very thankful to my family, friends, my agents and my solicitors who have been beside me, supporting me and helping me fight. The community in South Wales has also been amazing – it’s truly humbling to see the support that’s come from people and I hope I will now have the opportunity to compete in these Games to repay them for the faith that they have shown in me.”

Jamie Baulch, who heads up Definitive Sports Management, said: “This is a great outcome for David, who has been through a tough few years struggling with arm injuries and even recovering from pneumonia. The appeal was an important process to ensure that David had a full and fair hearing in his fight to try and overturn the initial decision to be reconsidered for the GB Paralympics team. We’re pleased to have been able to help him through such a difficult time and excited that he will now we able to take that step closer to his dream.”