Team GB fencers named for Rio 2016

The trio, who were the latest athletes to be named as part of Team GB, will compete in the individual and men's team foil events – with Marcus Mepstead named as the team reserve.

They all took part in London four years ago, where Team GB finished sixth in the team event.

Since London 2012, British fencers have enjoyed success at international level with the men's foil team – including Kruse who will be making his fourth Olympic Games appearance in Rio – taking gold at the inaugural European Games in Baku last year.

There was also a bronze medal at the 2013 European Championships in Zagreb while the team sealed their quota place for Rio back in February courtesy of a ninth-placed finish at the World Cup in Bonn.

Kruse said: "We had a very tight season to qualify and it came down to the wire and we managed to do it. Now we are preparing and to make the team is great.

"We've qualified a team which was unheard of in the past so it bodes well for where we are as a nation and I am happy with where the men's foil is heading.

"It's the pinnacle of the sport so to be selected and to be able to go out there for my fourth Games is going to be brilliant."

Alex Newton, Team GB Fencing Team Leader said: "It's fantastic to be able to announce the team because this is the first time that we have qualified a team. We wanted to be here and targeting a medal in Rio and now that has become more of a probability than a possibility.

"There's a chance for a medal in the individual and the team so we feel really confident heading into Rio. "It's Richard's fourth Olympics, James and Richard's second and Marcus' first – though Marcus went to the European Games – so they all have experience of a Games.

"The experience that they all have is really important. Three of the team have been to the Olympics and I think that could prove hugely important.

"It's a huge opportunity now. They are there by right and given the field and where they are within that, there is a real medal chance."

Sportsbeat 2016