The Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) confirmed the announcement, with one of those heading for London being 70-year-old – Libby Kosmala.

Head coach Miro Sipek said: "I'm confident this is the best Australian team ever going to the Games.

"All of them are medal prospects.

"Although for half the team this will be their first Games, we are definitely the best prepared team so far.

"We'll definitely have some top performers."

Kosmala will be the oldest athlete competing this summer, and her most successful Paralympics was at Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Games 64 years ago, when they hosted the event in 1984.

She will be taking part in her 11th Paralympic Games, and has to date won 13 medals since her first appearance in 1968.

Kosmala is joined by quadruple Paralympian Ashley Adams, winner of a bronze and silver at Athens 2004.

"It's very exciting," she said, adding: "I'm looking forward to it."

Kosmala continued: "In over 10 Paralympic Games, my greatest success was at Stoke Mandeville in 1984 so I'm looking forward to competing in London again for Australia.

"Since then, the scores have risen, the athletes have improved but also the equipment has improved.

"The rifles are more accurate now; we now have electronic targets with immediate scores next to us but also the athlete holding the rifle has to be extremely accurate as well."


Beijing 2008 Paralympian Jason Maroney (pictured above) and newcomers Natalie Smith, Luke Cain and Bradley Mark complete the line up.

The Australians have won 24 medals in shooting since its introduction at the Toronto 1976 Games.

"Australia has an impressive history in shooting at the Paralympic Games and we'll be taking an equally impressive team to London," said APC chief executive and London 2012 Chef de Mission Jason Hellwig.

"Our shooters have posted some terrific results at World Championship and World Cup levels over the last two years and we're hopeful these results can continue at the Paralympic Games.

"Shooting is an incredibly precise sport and the level of competition is immense.

"Our athletes are at the top of their game and the top of their sport which puts Australia in a very good position for medals."

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