The 31-year-old from Wales has long been one of Britain's biggest Paralympic stars having claimed three gold medals at Sydney 2000 before taking four gold medals in both Athens in 2004 and again in Beijing in 2008.

But injuries and illness have taken their toll on Roberts since Beijing 2008 and his hopes of competing in front of a home crowd were left at the mercy of the selectors after he missed both the 50 and 100 metres freestyle times at trials in Sheffield at the weekend.

However, it was confirmed today that the Welshman will not be selected for London 2012 and he will therefore miss the chance to overtake Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson's medal tally of 11 gold medals to become the most successful British Paralympian in recent times.

"The rational for selecting the team is entirely performance driven and we have picked the athletes who we see as medal contenders," said Britain's Performance Director John Atkinson.

"Unfortunately Dave has been plagued by injury and illness since 2009 and has not been able to demonstrate results to merit selection.

"The decision from selectors is therefore that Dave would not be nominated.

"We will be giving Dave all the support we can at this time."

Despite the blow for Roberts, there was a huge boost for Paralympic champion Liz Johnson, who despite also failing to hit her mark at the trials, has been nominated for a place in London.

In total, 16 British swimmers, including double Paralympic gold medallist Simmonds, have been selected for the squad.

She is joined by several Paralympic champions including Sascha Kindred and Heather Frederiksen (pictured), who has been selected despite having served a six-months ban following a positive drugs test in 2009 for raised levels of Salbutamol.


Unlike the British Olympic Association, the British Paralympic Association does not have a bylaw that prevents it from selecting competitors who have served drugs bans.

Major London 2012 medal contenders, including freestyle world record Jonathan Fox and European butterfly record holder Susie Rodgers, have also made the 16.

A further 26 other nominees, including Johnson and her breaststroke rival Charlotte Henshaw; will have to wait until early June to have their places confirmed when the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) formally reveal the number of slots made available for the team.

"It is great news that the ParalympicsGB team for London will be bolstered by such a strong squad of swimmers," said ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Craig Hunter.

"Swimming has historically been a sport in which British Paralympians excel and the team have produced some outstanding performances at World and European level since Beijing.

"While we need to wait until June for the formal confirmation of the full team, with such a strong squad announced today, I am confident that they will continue their impressive record in London and I am looking forward to seeing them all compete for ParalympicsGB."


Simmonds, who is one of Britain's most recognisable Paralympians following her double gold medal winning performance in Beijing, was delighted with the news.

"I am so excited to be part of the ParalympicsGB team for the London 2012 Paralympic Games," said 17-year-old from Walsall.

"I have worked really hard for the past four years to qualify and I couldn't be happier now I have done that.

"The London Games are a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"Beijing was really special for me but I think walking out in front of 17,000 people and hearing them cheer us on will be even better.

"Competing in front of a home crowd last month was amazing and I can't wait to do it again."

The swimming team has historically been one of the highest performing teams for ParalympicsGB: the team won 41 medals in Beijing in total, 11 of them gold, finishing fourth on the swimming medal table.

To view the full team, visit click here. 

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April 2012: Simmonds looking good for London 2012 glory but Roberts faces anxious wait