The 30-year-old, who announced her retirement in November 2011, is to stand for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) in next year's local elections in Munich.

"Politics for me is a new and exciting challenge after my retirement," said Bentele, who has lived in Munich for ten years.

Bentele joined the SPD last summer and decided to stand in the elections after holding talks with Christian Ude, Munich's popular Mayor.

She is set to lead the SPD's policy on sport and inclusion.

"Political commitment is a good way for me, my knowledge of education, inclusion and sport can help bring about change," said Bentele.


Bentele, who is visually impaired, made her Paralympic debut at Nagano in 1998 when she competed in the biathlon, winng a gold medal in the 7.5 kilometres free technique B1.

She subsequently won four gold medals at Salt Lake City 2002, two at Turin 2006 and five at Vancouver 2010.

Bentele also won two silver and two bronze in the Paralympics, giving her a career total of 16.

She achieved her best result in Vancouver despite having a kidney removed a year before the start of the Games after she was injured in a  freak accident when her sighted guide failed to give proper directions, so she fell down a slope in a dry river bed.

The incident also saw Bentele tear a cruciate ligament in her knee.

Her remarkable comeback was recognised in 2011 when she was voted "Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability".

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