Paralympic swimmer Dervis Konuralp made a splash in Hackney when he met local children and encouraged them to get involved in sports and go for their dreams.

The 26-year-old, who grew up in Hackney and holds two Paralympic bronze medals, said hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the borough would inspire more people to get active.

Dervis with the Speaker of Hackney, Cllr Afolasade Bright, at the Key Day event.

Speaking at the Key Day at Britannia Leisure Centre, run by Hackney Council and GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited), Dervis said:

"The 2012 Games mean Hackney will gain fantastic sports facilities - the legacy after the Games will be amazing for youngsters and will open doors for children and parents.

"It's vital children understand what disabled people can achieve. I think many people believe that if you've got a disability, you're limited to what you can do, but that's simply not true.

"Events like this Key Day are an excellent way of educating people. Not everyone knows what the Paralympic Games are, or realises that disabled athletes can compete internationally.

"Not everyone will be a top class athlete but that doesn't matter. What matters is encouraging everyone to get involved and become active at some level. The Games and the new facilities will inspire people of all ages and abilities to take part in sports.

"If I can get more people into the swimming pool, or taking part in other sports, that's great. It doesn't matter whether they win medals - it's all about getting involved and active."

The event included a range of activities for young people to get involved in including swimming, wheelchair basketball, cycling, face painting and story telling.

Konuralp has competed in the Paralympic Games in Atlanta, Sydney and Athens, and is training to compete at the Beijing Games next year. He will soon start to train at the Lido in London Fields, Hackney – the only outdoor heated 50m pool in the Capital.

The swimming star, who learnt to swim at Britannia Leisure Centre and holds a total of 35 international medals, is not yet sure whether he will compete in the London 2012 Games.

"I've never competed at in international competition on home turf,” said Konuralp. “It would be a dream come true to compete in the London 2012 Games, but I can't say whether that will happen. I'd love to be there in some capacity though."

Hackney is one of the five host boroughs for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with almost a third of the Games zone in the borough.

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, said:

"One of Hackney Council's long-held ambitions is to inspire as many residents as possible to get
involved in regular physical activity. The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a great catalyst for this. Special thanks to Dervis and other world-class athletes who are willing to give up their time to talk to young residents in our borough, demonstrating the great opportunities
that sport and physical activity can bring to our lives."

-ENDS-

The Key Day was held on Wednesday 4 April at Britannia Leisure Centre, Hackney.

It was open to all disabled children, their siblings and their carers and was run in conjunction with the Key Register - the register for children with disabilities or special educational needs in Hackney.

The next Key Day will be held at West Reservoir Sailing Centre, Stoke Newington on 22 July.