Dervis in the pool with swimmers from Gayhurst school to mark 500 days to go to the Paralympics in April 2011. Credit Olivia Harris.

It was the first time the Hackney born and bred partially-sighted swimmer would be watching an international competition instead of taking part since his first performance at Atlanta in 1996 at the age of 15.

Disappointingly Dervis, who over the course of his career has won 35 major international medals including 14 golds, did not make the qualifiers in May.

However, he is philosophical that, in athletic terms at the age of 31, he is too old to take on younger rivals.

“I always said if I was to go, I would go to win and not to just make up the numbers.

Represented Great Britain at four Paralympicgoes through.”

Family

It was with the backing of his family – including his Turkish Cypriot father, English mother and five siblings – that he’s been able to ensure that his disability would not stand in the way of him reaching his full potential.

Not long after his diagnosis, Dervis began swimming at London Fields Primary School.

“Everyone has something they take to and swimming was that for me. I enjoyed the sensation of being in the water,” he said.

His natural talent was identified and encouraged by coach Michelle Weltman who stuck by him from the ages of 11 to 28 and whom he regards as a big sister.

Though Dervis’ eyesight has deteriorated over the years, it is impossible to identify the disability when you meet him, and he still has good