British Olympians, Hamilton rewarded for their feats
Cyclist Hoy receives knighthood
British Olympians and Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton were all honoured by Queen Elizabeth yesterday.
The Queen granted awards to every gold medal winner in Britain's Beijing Olympics team, including a knighthood for triple cycling gold medallist Chris Hoy, the country's most successful Olympian at a single games for 100 years.
"To become a knight from riding your bike, it's mad," said the 32-year-old Hoy. "It feels a bit strange to be honest. I still can't quite believe it.
"It's incredible and I'm absolutely delighted. To be given a knighthood is an enormous honour - it means so much to me and also to my family."
It was a case of double celebration for Hoy as his mother Carol, a recently retired nurse in Glasgow, received the MBE for services to health care. They went to Buckingham Palace together to receive their awards.
Bradley Wiggins, Hoy's cycling team-mate, and sailing star Ben Ainslie were appointed Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), while double gold medal-winning swimmer Rebecca Adlington became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Adlington, 19, was honoured for becoming the first British woman to win an Olympic gold in the pool since Anita Lonsbrough in 1960.
Team GB cycling performance director Dave Brailsford was appointed CBE, as was rowing counterpart David Tanner.
Christine Ohuruogu, the 400m champion who was the only British athlete to win a track and field gold in Beijing, was appointed MBE, as gold medal-winning boxer James DeGale.
Hamilton, 23, became the youngest Formula One world champion in November in only his second season competing in the annual championship.
The first black driver on the Formula One motor racing circuit, Hamilton was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), a lower ranking award.
"It is a massive honour and incredible privilege," said Hamilton. "It is the most amazing culmination to what has been quite a year for me."
Fourteen-year-old Paralympic swimmer Eleanor Simmonds was made an MBE after winning two golds in Beijing, becoming the youngest person ever to be royally honoured.
Disabled swimmer David Roberts and rider Lee Pearson also became CBEs.
Roberts won four golds in Beijing to equal Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson's record of 11 Paralympic titles, while Pearson won three equestrian Paralympic golds.
Reading FC chairman John Madejski received a knighthood for his charity work, and BBC cricket commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins was appointed MBE.