PARALYMPIC legend David Roberts has set his eyes on breaking Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson’s record next year at London 2012.
The Pontypridd swimmer and Cardiff wheelchair athlete stand level on 11 gold Paralympic medals and Roberts has the chance to break the record next year.
“I have one more Games and I will make sure I am prepared to get that one gold I need and then we can all relax,” said Roberts.
“The record is important but it is not the driving force.
“I love swimming and it is all I can imagine doing.
“Inevitably when you equal someone like Tanni questions will be asked and it is a home Games so people will be more interested in it.
“If I am injury free and fit I can do it.
“There will be nothing better to finish your career becoming the most successful Paralympian ever.”
Roberts admits the home Games factor is a driving force behind him competing at one more Olympics.
“London was a massive driving force in me carrying on,” added Roberts.
“I always said I wanted to equal Tanni’s record because I wanted to be known as someone who is good at what they do.
“I managed to do that in Beijing and I got a bit of recognition and it felt like it was everything I ever dreamt of and I could finish happy.
“But it was not just the fact of beating Tanni.
“It was more the chance to walk out in front of a home crowd.
“If you think of all the great Olympians who have not had the chance to compete in a home Games, you realise the importance.
“I could not walk away from that because it was too good an opportunity to miss.”
But the 31-year-old has experienced a difficult couple of years in the build-up to London.
Roberts fractured his elbow in October 2009 after he was dragged into a tree while taking his beloved lurcher-collie for a walk.
The following March he spent a week in hospital having his kidney stones removed.
Roberts was then forced to pull out of the European Championships in April this year after breaking his elbow again in a freak accident at his training pool in Caerphilly. Going into a routine turn he collided with a fellow swimmer and instantly heard a crack in his elbow.
“It has been the toughest year of my career,” admitted Roberts, who hails from Llantwit Fadre.
“I was out of the water for eight months.
“It was such an innocuous injury as I collided arms with another swimmer.
“I just knew instantly it was bad because I heard a crack.
“I did not realise the full extent of the damage until I saw a surgeon who explained to me he had only seen this type of injury twice before and that is with the weightlifters.
“I had to have the surgery and I feel refreshed.
“A lot of the baggage has gone because not everyone is expecting a huge amount from me because I have been injured.
“It has also given me a lifeline and a chance to sneak in the back door which is how I like it. I have the time. I need to train smart and hard at my age and every session needs to count. I am training through Christmas and New Year before going away to South Africa in early January.
“The trials are in March and once you have qualified and get the letter then you can focus your mind and you will have five months to prepare.”
Roberts, who has cerebral palsy and competes in the S7 category swimmer, has seen his achievements recognised within and outside sporting circles.
Roberts addressed the Human Rights Council earlier this year to promote Britain’s proud tradition of supporting its Paralympian’s. And the swimmer was recognised by sporting legends at an awards ceremony in London when he was handed the esteemed Jaguar Academy of Sport Patrons Award for Sporting Legacy at the Savoy.
“It was very humbling and totally unexpected,” added Roberts.
“To be recognised by your peers is an amazing thing. The award was won by Dame Kelly Holmes last year so it is amazing.
“There were so many sporting stars and heroes of mine there and you don’t expect to see that many in one room.
“It was great to see people like Kriss Akabusi, Sir Ian Botham, Gareth Edwards, Dai Greene and Jamie Baulch.”
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