Drinkhall to lead GB Olympic squad

Middlesbrough-born Drinkhall, 22, who trains with the squad at Sheffield, recently broke into the world top 100 at senior level having enjoyed success at junior level, including three European junior titles and a silver medal at the World Junior Championships.

Drinkhall is joined by 18-year-old Liam Pitchford, who won two medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Pitchford demonstrated his potential at the European Championships where he beat four players ranked in the world top 100, including world number nine Vladimir Samsonov and number 20 Alexey Smirnov.

The men’s squad is completed by the experienced Andrew Baggaley, 29, who has won five Commonwealth Games medals and is a three-time English men’s singles national champion.

Drinkhall said: “It’s a great achievement to be selected for Team GB. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play in a home Games. I can only guess how it will feel but it’s a fantastic opportunity.”