The 32-year-old Welshman, who has cerebral palsy, is one of Britain's greatest ever swimmers but was not nominated for the Games after illness and injury affected his form.

Roberts (pictured above and below) missed the first stage of the Paralympic trials in London and then failed to make the qualifying times in Sheffield later in the year and, therefore, was not named as part of the 16-strong team for London 2012 when it was announced in April.

He launched an appeal which was successful in making British Swimming reconsider its decision due to his fitness and medical issues but a review by national performance director John Atkinson concluded that the original decision will stand.

Roberts has admitted he is so upset with the decision that he is considering moving to Sweden to gain citizenship to compete for them due to the fact that he is set to marry a Swedish national in December.

"If people here don't think I'm good enough I'll go somewhere where I am," Roberts told BBC Wales Sport.

"Who knows, you may see me swimming for a different country?

"That's what you do in life and in sport in general – you can't allow something to knock you down or push you away because that's not what life's about."


Roberts attributed his poor form to illness over the past three years, specifically citing a recent bout of pneumonia and a torn tricep for his failure at the trials.

"I've pushed my body to the absolute limit to have a chance of achieving a dream and it's been snatched away from me," he said.

"I don't think I'll ever forgive it, but life moves on.

"I'm not bitter, I just feel let down.

"This is not retirement for me by a long shot.

"Who I'll swim for in the future, who knows?

"But it's not the end.

"I want to be the best.

"Everything I do I do to be the best and at the moment I'm not.

"That means I've got to look into the future to make sure that I am.

"I have won 11 golds and it is a great career.

"But it's not good enough for me.

"I'm a perfectionist, I want the best."

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July 2012: London 2012 dream over for Roberts after he loses appeal
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May 2012: ParalympicsGB swimming nominees confirmed to compete at London 2012
April 2012: Heartbreak for Roberts as he is left out of Britain's London 2012 squad
April 2012: Simmonds looking good for London 2012 glory but Roberts faces anxious wait