Gravesend’s Kate French has been named as one of four modern pentathletes to represent Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

London 2012 silver medallist Samantha Murray returns to the fold for Team GB for her second appearance at an Olympic Games while James Cooke, Joe Choong and French are all in line for their Olympic debuts.

French, who now lives in Bath, says her Olympic journey was inspired by the bronze medal won by Georgina Harland at the Athens 2004 Games.

The 25-year-old said: “I started doing Pony Club tetrathlons when I was young and Georgina came to a prize-giving one year.

“She brought her Olympic medal and I was able to hold it. I remember thinking ‘I’d like one of these one day.’

“Competing at an Olympic Games would mean so much to me, it’s something I’ve wanted to do from a very young age. To be on that plane to Rio is a dream come true.”

Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission, said: “All four pentathletes have qualified by virtue of their performances at major competitions and shown that they can compete at the very pinnacle of their sport.

“Kate has the ability to perform on the biggest stage and I’m sure she will embrace the terrific opportunity on offer at Rio 2016.”