To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024, Nissan has launched a pioneering documentary series on Prime Video in the UK, US, and Canada. The three-part series, Dare to Defy, stars British Paralympic gold medallist and marathon world record-holder Richard Whitehead MBE, alongside LGBTQ+ advocate, broadcaster, and DJ-turned-marathon runner Adele Roberts. Together, they challenge stereotypes and confront the barriers faced by underrepresented communities in accessing sport.
The episodes explore motorsport, football, and mass participation running, demonstrating how individuals from diverse backgrounds can "defy ordinary" and achieve their aspirations when treated equitably within the sporting arena. The series also follows Richard and Adele as they organise a fully accessible and inclusive running event at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park – the site of Richard’s gold medal win in the T42 200m at the London 2012 Paralympics.
Richard Whitehead, who uses prosthetic blades and holds world records in both the full and half marathon, visits Nissan's Formula E Team at the London E-Prix. There, he delves into the sport’s strides towards inclusivity and provides disabled motorsport fan Abi Evans with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to drive a specially adapted electric race car.
Meanwhile, Adele Roberts, who set a world record as the fastest female to run a marathon with an ileostomy following her recovery from bowel cancer, explores inclusivity in football. Visiting Manchester City FC, she speaks with centre-back John Stones, Zander Murray – the first openly gay male professional footballer in the UK – former City Women’s star Izzy Christiansen, and the Canal Street Blues, the club’s LGBTQ+ supporters’ group.
The series concludes with an extraordinary finale as Richard travels to Tokyo to learn from the organisers of Nissan Connect, a race designed for visually impaired runners. He and Adele then work to assemble a diverse group of over 700 participants for Run to the Future, an inclusive running event at London’s Olympic Park. The event offers trained support runners through the Richard Whitehead Foundation's Supported Runners Programme, enabling disabled participants to complete 2k or 5k routes.
Reflecting on the project, Richard Whitehead shared:
"Filming Dare to Defy has been an incredible journey. Meeting people from across the globe has reinforced the unifying power of sport. Unfortunately, many disabled people and those from marginalised communities still face barriers to participation. We aim to change this, ensuring everyone feels welcomed and valued in sport."
Adele Roberts added:
"This experience has been profoundly enlightening. Since joining the non-visible disability community through my cancer journey and life with a stoma, I’ve gained a fresh perspective on accessibility in sport. Everyone deserves to feel empowered and welcomed in an inclusive environment. I'm thrilled to collaborate with Nissan to help bring about this change."
The documentary is part of Nissan’s Possibilities Project, a CSR initiative aimed at fostering inclusivity through the brand’s technologies and expertise, with a particular focus on the disability and LGBTQ+ communities.
Fiona Mackay, Marketing Director at Nissan GB, commented:
"Partnering with Richard and Adele to bring Dare to Defy to life has been remarkable. Through the Nissan Possibilities Project, we’re proud to support underrepresented communities. This series not only highlights the challenges they face but also celebrates the progress being made to ensure equal opportunities in sport."
Dare to Defy is available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in the UK, US, and Canada from Tuesday, 3rd December.
