The 63-year-old Capousek is arguably the sport's most successful ever coach and will be valuable asset in the senior men's technical kayak division.

 

In a career spanning more than 30 years he has trained canoeists who have won 31 Olympic and 156 World Championship medals.

 

But Capousek will be hoping that he is treated better in Britain than he was in China in the lead-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

 

He was sacked just six weeks before the Games after he claimed he was replaced by a member of the Chinese miltary due to politicial pressure.

 

Capousek was born and grew up in Prague, 1968 but fled to Germany during the Spring Uprising.

 

He subsequently embarked upon a successful coaching career and led Germany to 17 Olympic gold medals at four Olympics and to 140 medals at world and European championships during his 14-year reign there as head coach.

 

He will be assisted by Ian Wynne, winner of an Olympic bronze medal in the K1 500m kayak event.

 

British Canoeing have set themselves a target of at least two gold medals at London 2012.

 

John Anderson, the performance director, said: "Josef's record speaks for itself – the athletes he has coached have collectively won 17 Olympic gold medals - more than any other coach in the history of the sport.

 

"There are very few coaches out there who have achieved such sustained success and over such a long period of time.”
 

Paul Owen, the chief executive of GB Canoeing, said: “GB Canoeing have recently undergone a restructuring programme and now that the right structure and resources are in place, the athletes, coaches and support staff are well equipped to move ahead in the next Olympic cycle.”