The 200 athletes (pictured above) were greeted as they arrived at St Pancras International with a performance from the Kaos Signing Choir for Deaf and Hearing Children, who were part of the Opening Ceremony for the Olympic Games.

However, goodwill was put aside as traditional Anglo-French rivalry came to the fore.

France's reigning F46 long jump Paralympic champion Arnaud Assoumani (pictured below) said, "good luck to you and good luck to us too," before adding, "I hope we're going to get more medals than Britain.

"I know you are really tough, so we're going to see."

British Paralympic gold medal winning 800 metre sprinter Danny Crates was also there to welcome the French, and said he was confident Britain would finish above France in the medal table.

"The French team are just across the water us," he commented.



"They're one of our biggest rivals in many sports.

"For the British, we like to be unbiased sometimes, so we'll wish the French well.

"But hopefully it's just well, and not really well."

Some of France's top hopes for London include swimmer Élodie Lorandi, who claimed five gold medals at last year's European Championships and won silver in Beijing four years' ago.

Wheelchair tennis star Stéphane Houdet and double gold medal winning cyclist Laurent Thirionet are also good bets for glory.

France is hoping to break into the top ten in the medal table this summer, having won 12 gold medals and 52 in total in Beijing, coming 12th overall.

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