US Paralympics has announced that 22 athletes have been added to the team that will compete in the upcoming Rio 2016 Paralympic Games ©US Paralympics

US Paralympics has announced that 22 athletes have been added to the American team that will compete at the upcoming Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The 289-member team, which includes nine guides and pilots for visually-impaired athletes, is the largest US delegation to attend a Games in history.

In addition to the 22 new athletes joining the team, Cassie Mitchell, who was previously named for athletics, has also been awarded a slot in swimming meaning she will compete in both sports in Rio.

The American additions come after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed the suspension of Russian athletes, whose 267 qualification slots were returned to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for reallocation.

Russia were banned from the Games by the IPC due to the doping scandal in the country with the CAS then throwing out an appeal.

There are now 35 military athletes on the team, with four continuing to serve on active duty in the US Army - shooters John Joss and Shaun Tichenor, swimmer Elizabeth Marks and archer Michael Lukow.

The Army has the largest representation with 23 athletes, with seven athletes having served in the Marine Corps, three in the Navy and one in the Air Force. 

Jessica Long is the most decorated athlete in the squad with 12 Paralympic gold medals ©Getty Images
Jessica Long is the most decorated athlete in the squad with 12 Paralympic gold medals ©Getty Images

Triathlete Krige Schabort served in the South African Army.

At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the US claimed a total of 98 medals.

Among the members in Rio will be 14 reigning Paralympic champions, and 18 athletes who won multiple medals in London, including swimmer Jessica Long and athletics stars Raymond Martin and Tatyana McFadden.

Swimmer McClain Hermes, who turned 15 in January, is the youngest member of the team, with the oldest 64-year-old sailor Dee Smith.

The most decorated athlete in the squad, 12-time Paralympic gold medallist Jessica Long, was named in the 31-strong swimming team following a three-day trial in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The 24-year-old is one of three swimmers appearing at a fourth Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, with Rudy Garcia-Tolson and Cody Bureau having also made their debuts back at Athens 2004.

Long secured victories in the S8 400 metres freestyle and 100m butterfly events at the trials, with the 14-time world record holder now setting her sights on adding to her 12 titles in Rio, having secured five golds back at London 2012.

Full information about the US team can be found here.