Among those travelling to London is Hannelore Brenner (pictured top), a veteran of three Paralympic Games, who won double gold in the equestrian competition at Beijing four years' ago.

The German equestrian team will also be hoping to edge out hosts Britain for team gold in Greenwich Park at the end of this month.

Andrea Eskau, Wolfgang Sacher and Michael Teuber, will be aiming to replicate the success they and Germany enjoyed at the last Paralympics having all won cycling golds in Beijing.

Another to watch is Jochen Wollmert (pictured below), the defending class 07 table tennis champion, who will take on Will Bayley, the British world number one, for gold.


Among the rest of the selection is Claudia Nicoleitzik, the T36 runner who won silver in the 100 metres and 200m at Beijing 2008, who will be hoping to improve on that and win a gold in London.

"Hard choices had to be made, for we have more top athletes than we can send to London," said Dr Karl Quade, the Chef de Mission for the German Paralympic team.

"However, we have chosen the best of our knowledge and belief and I am delighted that we are sending a strong team to the Paralympic Games."

Germany were the 11th most successful nation at the last Games, winning 14 gold medals, 25 silver and 20 bronze, however, the country sent 21 more athletes to Beijing than will go to London this summer.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]