Kruse reached the quarter-finals of the Olympic foil competition in Athens four years ago which was Britain's best Fencing performance at the Games in 40 years.

 

He has earned his place this time after the FEI (International Fencing Federation) awarded Britain a second place in Beijing.

 

Kruse, who turns 25 on the eve of Games, now joins Alex O'Connell, who secured a surprise Olympic fencing place for Britain after a brilliant performance in the qualifying tournament in Istanbul in April.

 

Not ranked in the world's top 120 in men's sabre, the 20-year-old Cambridge University student reached the final and although he lost it to Pole Marcin Koniusz, two Olympic spots were up for grabs.

 

Kruse, the 2006 European Championship silver medallist, said: "The 2007/8 season has held a lot of luck for me, both good and bad.

 

"I've struggled with injury and initially looked to have missed out on a place in Beijing .

 

"However, with a lot of help from various people and a bit of good luck I have been fortunate enough to receive a reallocated place and will be one of the 26 starters on August 13 in the men's foil discipline in the Olympic Games.

 

"This will be my second Olympic Games and I’m not going along to simply make up the numbers.

 

"I believe that if I can stay injury-free in the run up to the Games, and the draw falls right for me, then I can make an impact in my event, hopefully surpassing my last eight result at the previous Games in Athens."

 

Graham Watts, performance director for British Fencing, said: “We are naturally delighted that Richard has qualified for Beijing and it is just reward for four years of very hard work since he reached the top eight in Athens .  

 

 

"He has the ability and confidence to improve on this in Beijing."