Germany and Great Britain name athletes for Rio 2016

Germany announced the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams, whilst two British wheelchair fencers will make their Paralympic debut. 07 Jul 2016

Andre Bienek

ⒸIPC

By German Paralympic Committee and British Paralympic Association

Germany’s 12-strong men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams and the two British wheelchair fencers for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games have been announced.

The women’s team aims to win its third consecutive Paralympic medal, after claiming silver at Beijing 2008 and gold at London 2012.

“With Simone Kues’ and Anne Briessmann’s experience and individual class, we have a strong low post”, said Holger Glinicki, who has been coaching the team for more than 10 years.

“Generally speaking, we do have a very balanced squad and we are definitely going to fight for the medals in Rio.”

Even though Germany is the reigning Paralympic and European champion, Glinicki believes they are not the team-to-beat.

“I think the Netherlands are the favourites for gold in Rio, followed by Germany, the USA, Great Britain and Canada.”

Coach Nicolai Zeltinger named the men’s wheelchair basketball team, which seeks to win a Paralympic medal after 24 years.

The team combines experienced with promising players and is ready to make a splash at Rio 2016.

“We now have an excellent mix of young and hungry, as well as experienced and calm players”, said Zeltinger.

Great Britain’s wheelchair fencing multi-world cup medallists Dimitri Coutya and Piers Gilliver have been selected to represent their country at Rio 2016.

Both will make their Paralympic debut and are hoping to win Great Britain’s first Paralympic medal in the sport in 28 years.

"I am very determined to go out to Rio and show people just what I am capable of achieving,” said 18-year-old Coutya.

“To represent your country at the Paralympic Games is the greatest privilege in our sport and I have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to stake my place on the team.”

21-year-old Gilliver also shared his excitement: “Many years of hard work has gone towards achieving this goal and I am pleased that all the hours of training have paid off.

“I am going to make every second count before I head out to compete in Rio as it is going to be the biggest competition of my career so far.”

Germany wheelchair basketball teams

Women

Anne Briessmann

Annabel Breuer

Laura Fuerst

Barbara Gross

Simone Kues

Maya Lindholm

Mareike Miller

Marina Mohnen

Anne Patzwald