By Tom Degun

August 28 - Paralympic legend Dave Roberts (pictured) has been named in the Welsh swimming team for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games where he faces a tough task to complete a Commonwealth hat-trick after picking up bronze medals in the two previous events in Melbourne in 2006 and Manchester in 2002.



The 30-year-old from Pontypridd will be competing against swimmers from a different disability class (S8) that have more mobility than him although it would still be foolish to bet against the Welsh star.

After all Roberts is one of the greatest Paralympic athletes of all time having equaled Tanni Grey-Thompson’s achievement of 11 Paralympic gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Games.

Roberts, who is tipped to break Grey-Thompson's Welsh Paralympic gold medal record at London 2012, admitted he is looking forward to competing in India despite the difficult prospect that awaits him.

Roberts said: "I’m really happy to be given the chance to represent Wales.

"It will definitely be the toughest challenge of my career as I will be swimming against a category less disabled than myself in Delhi. 

"By rights I shouldn’t really be quick enough to compete against S8 swimmers and this will be a first as the medals will be decided on first touch, rather than racing against the world record time for our category.

"After winning the 100 metres freestyle at the World Championships [in Eindhoven] I am very happy with my progress only two years out from the start of the London 2012 Games.

"It has been a very challenging 12 months with illness and injury but it’s great to be back competing."

Roberts joins a strong group of able bodied swimmers including Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist David Davies and Beijing Olympians Jazz Carlin and Tom Haffield.

Welsh Swimming's Performance Manager Martyn Woodroffe said: "This is Wales’ strongest ever swim team to be fielded at a Commonwealth Games.

“As we are able to call on Olympic and Paralympic medalists, we are in a strong position.

"The team is certainly the most professional group of swimmers and staff I have worked with; all of whom are setting extremely high standards and targets."

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