The 38-year-old was part of the Great Britain team that claimed bronze at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games but is perhaps best known for his role as a popular television presenter and he is currently one of key personalities leading Channel 4's coverage of London 2012 after they were announced as host broadcaster of the event last year.

But Adepitan has become the victim of a serious theft attack after his white BMW X5 car, emblazoned with the distinctive London 2012 logo, was broken into and stolen in the early hours of last Saturday morning (October 22) while he was visiting his girlfriend in the area.

The car also contained Adepitan's expensive, specially adapted sports wheelchair which is metallic blue and has blue tyres with white spokes.

The vehicle also contained a basketball with the name "Ade" on it, a pair of purple-and-orange crutches and five elite Babolat tennis rackets due to the fact that Adepitan still plays wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis at a high level.

"I've been very lucky in that the insurance company managed to source a specially-adapted car for me to use," said Adepitan following the incident.

"The inconvenience is very annoying especially when I feel I spent a lot of money making it safe but you're still vulnerable.

"I really want to get my wheelchair back as it's very difficult for me to play basketball without it.

"The wheelchair is bespoke and therefore made to fit the individual."

New Scotland Yard have released a statement which says: "Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a car in Hounslow.

"At approximately 03:40hrs on Saturday October 22 in Merton Avenue W4, two male suspects smashed a window of a white BMW X5 before driving away.

"The vehicle is distinctive, as it is marked with the Olympics livery.

"The vehicle contained a specially adapted wheelchair - an Ivercare Topend - belonging to Ade Adepitan.

"If anyone has information they are asked to contact Hounslow police on 020 8247 6545; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Adepitan was has been in a wheelchair for almost his entire life after he contracted polio at six month old which resulted in the loss of function of his left leg and ultimately prevented him from walking.

He has since gone on to fame via Paralympic sport and television presenting while he has also been a vocal campaigner against racism and disability discrimination and is the patron of numerous charities.

He was awarded an MBE in 2005 for his services to sport.

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