They will be joined at the parade on October 16 by athletes who win medals in the Paralympics, which are due to take place in Beijing between September 6 and 17.

 

At the end of the tenth day of competition in China, Britain are third in the overall medals table behind super-powers China and the United States with 27 medals, including 12 gold, including two for Londoner Bradley Wiggins (pictured after the team pursuit squad following their victory today).

 

It is Britain's best performance since the Antwerp Games in 1920.

 

Johnson said: “Just over half way through the Beijing Games and Team GB has put in one of its best ever performances.

 

"In September our Paralympians will, I hope, return from Beijing having achieved similar success.

 

"So to reflect the excitement and pride of the country in our athletes’ superb victories we’ve set a date in the diary now when we can cheer all our heroes and honour their extraordinary feats at this summer's Games.”

 

A similar parade starring the 800 and 1500 metres gold medallist Kelly Holmes was held in 2004 after the Athens Games and was used as a high-profile opportunity to promote London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics

 

Simon Clegg, the chief executive of the British Olympic Association and Chef de Mission in Beijing, said: "We are delighted that the GLA (Greater London Authority) have decided to honour the team by providing a parade through the streets of London.

 

"This is a fitting tribute to the outstanding achievements of the whole team, who have collectively so far delivered Team GB's most successful Olympic Games since Antwerp 1920."

 

Britain's Paralympic team will be defending their position as the world's top team in Beijing and are expected to win a record amount of medals.

 

Phil Lane, the ParalympicsGB chief executive said: “We’re delighted to hear that Britain’s Paralympians will be recognised for their achievements in Beijing by being part of this parade alongside Britain’s Olympic athletes.

 

“Our team begin to fly out to the holding camps this week as the final preparations for the Beijing Paralympics are put in place and we’re confident that when the ParalympicsGB team return to the UK we will have many reasons to celebrate.”

 

Full details of the parade will be announced later.