Oliver Hynd is among leading British swimmers named in the team for Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Four-time world champion Ollie Hynd has been named in a 31-strong British swimming team for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, along with two-time London 2012 winner Ellie Simmonds.

Hynd, who won three gold medals at the recent International Paralympic Committee Swimming European Championships in Funchal, became one of the few athletes in history to hold Paralympic, World, European and Commonwealth titles at the same time.

He will seek to defend his S8 200 metres individual medley title won at London 2012.

“I am so proud to be selected for Rio for ParalympicsGB, it is such an honour," he said.

"The competition is getting tougher every time I get in the water but I know how hard I’ve been training so I can only be confident in my preparations.

"Rio will be an amazing experience.”

Simmonds, the sport's biggest name in Britain, also earned double gold at Beijing 2008.

“It is finally sinking in that I will be going to my third Paralympic Games, and I am so excited," she said.

"The Paralympic Games is the biggest stage in the world to compete on and I can’t wait for the challenge.”

Ellie Simmonds is also set to compete at a third Paralympic Games ©Getty Images
Ellie Simmonds is also set to compete at a third Paralympic Games ©Getty Images

Other Paralympic multi-medallists named on the team include Charlotte Henshaw, James Crisp, Claire Cashmore and Sascha Kindred.

Twelve-year-old Abby Kane is also named, after clocking a British record of 1.11.19 in the S13 100m backstroke at the Para-Swimming trials.

Others include Stephen Clegg, brother of track sprinter Libby Clegg and London 2012 swimming medallist James, and 14-year-old Ellie Robinson, who took up swimming after watching her now team-mate Simmonds compete in London.

Penny Briscoe MBE, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, said: "I am really excited to announce the swimming team for ParalympicsGB today.

"This is historically a major medal sport for the team.

"Recent World and European competitions suggest that we could be looking at a big medal haul once again.

"Their performances at the recent European Championships have demonstrated the strength in depth that we have in this team and how exceptional these athletes are.

“The pool is one of the many places where competition at every Games just keeps getting tougher and it is going to be a real battleground for our athletes again in Rio."