DIVA spoke to the radio presenter and marathon runner about her new Prime Video documentary Dare To Defy
BY ELLA GAUCI, IMAGE BY PRIME VIDEO
Is it possible to hold a race that is truly inclusive to anybody attending? That is the question that British Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead MBE and LGBTQIA advocate and broadcaster Adele Roberts are asking in their new documentary Dare To Defy. This new Prime Video three-part programme looks to see just how inclusive different sports really are, challenging stereotypes in everything from football to motorsport.
Audiences can expect to see Adele, who holds the world record as the fastest female to complete a marathon with an ileostomy (stoma) following her recovery from bowel cancer, learn more about how LGBTQIA inclusion can be achieved in all sports when she heads to Manchester City FC.
The three episodes will lead to Richard and Adele putting on their own inclusive race, entitled Run To The Future which was held at iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where Richard won gold at the 2012 Paralympics.
You can watch the documentary on Prime Video on 3 December. Ahead of its release, we sat down with Adele Roberts to find out more about why inclusion is so important in sports.
What did you learn from filming this documentary?
I learned a lot and that’s why it’s important that I did it. I’m lucky to have a platform where I can help people and challenge stereotypes. Being proudly part of the LGBTQIA community, I hope that I can show that we can get involved and that we are welcome. Things are changing. I understand from the bottom of my heart how important it is to see yourself reflected. We need to create environments where sportspeople feel safe expressing themselves so that the kids growing up can know that there is nothing wrong with them and that sports are for them.
What are your hopes for the future in sports?
Our allies are important. This documentary is important not just for those who are in these marginalised communities but also for our friends and our families. I hope people will get their friends to watch it. They can speak volumes on our behalf. We’re all in this together.
Sport is often like a chosen family. What has sport meant to you?
Sport is a lifeline. I had a tough childhood, but whenever I was doing sports I was free and happy. I felt alive. I wish when I was younger that there were openly gay sportspeople but I understand why there weren’t. Running to me is like my everyday medicine and it keeps me healthy mentally not just physically. If I didn’t feel comfortable in the running community, it would be detrimental to my mental health.
Speaking of your running journey, you’re currently doing your marathon challenge. How is that going?
Thank god I managed to do the first three marathons! I have a non-visible disability, which is my stoma. My stoma was a naughty little sausage in the first three marathons!
This documentary also delves into visible and non-visible disabilities and whether sports are inclusive. For people with non-visible disabilities, why is that representation so important?
A lot of the time, conditions are not understood or talked about. In episode three, Richard and I attempt to put on the most inclusive race ever. There are a lot of people who are living with mental health conditions that we hopefully cater to. I’ve never been to a race where that has been apparent and that is really important. I’ve learnt to be a better person and better ally to someone who may be going through something I can’t see.
What was it like being at the race?
It was emotional. It was like a utopia. I almost couldn’t believe that it was possible. It’s probably been possible all this time but no one has thought to do it. It was like Pride where you’re the majority for the day. For the first time, people with disabilities were in the majority at a race. I was so proud of that.
For younger people, sports can feel incredibly exclusive. What do you hope that kids watching this documentary can take into their own sports club or school?
Normalisation and having the language to express themselves. I think that was part of the problem for me when I was younger. I didn’t know about being gay. I didn’t know it was a thing I could be. Hopefully, us being proud and showing what’s possible and showing strong role models in the LGBTQIA community, kids will know that it’s okay.
For a lot of queer women, there can be judgement at school if you want to do a sport that isn’t considered a “girl” sport. What do you hope to see in the future in terms of gender inclusion?
I wasn’t allowed to play football at school. I went to a girl’s school and we had to play “feminine sports”. Why isn’t football feminine? Why isn’t boxing feminine? It’s challenging those stereotypes and showing kids that they can be whatever they want to be.
Obviously, you and Kate were on the cover of DIVA this year. Has Kate seen the documentary?
Kate’s been there the whole time. She’s so proud. We’re on a mission to help be the change that we needed to see when we were kids. We’re going to keep banging that drum. We’re grateful to Nissan and Prime Video for making this show – we would have loved it when we were kids.
You can watch Dare To Defy on Prime Video on 3 December.
You can listen to Adele Roberts on The 94% podcast now!
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