Former sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe claims “a big mistake” was made in the division of the New Year Honours between Olympians and Paralympians.
Paralympic cyclist Sarah Storey became a dame after winning four gold medals at London 2012, while cyclist Bradley Wiggins and sailor Ben Ainslie were knighted.
There was one CBE for a Paralympian – wheelchair athlete David Weir – and four for Olympians in Katherine Grainger, Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Victoria Pendleton.
Labour MP Sutcliffe, who is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Disability Sport, told BBC that opportunities were missed.
Equestrian dressage rider Lee Pearson, who received a CBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list, told reporters on Sunday he believed he had a strong case for a knighthood after landing his 10th Paralympic gold at the London Games
Pearson said: “Obviously 10 gold, one silver and one bronze just isn’t enough. I’m disappointed because I do feel I’ve given a lot to Paralympic sport and equestrianism.”
Weir has also suggested Paralympians have to work harder to earn recognition than their non-disabled counterparts.
Sutcliffe said: “I can understand Lee. For the sake of a couple of knighthoods and perhaps one or two more higher awards, there’s been a lost opportunity because we want to make sure we maintain this progress for the Olympics and Paralympics in Rio in 2016.
“Clearly it leaves a sour taste if people like David Weir and Lee feel they could have been better treated and I think they’re probably right on this occasion.
“If you remember, at the start of the year there was confusion over whether the Olympians and Paralympians would get honours; the committee said that it was unlikely.
“We managed to get them to change their mind and have a separate category for the Olympians and Paralympians.
“But I do think they’ve made a big mistake by not recognising Paralympians like David Weir.
“They haven’t been forgotten, but there was also an opportunity to be consistent and if you look at David Weir’s record over many Olympics the very least I think he should have got is a knighthood.”
Sophie Christiansen, who won three London 2012 Paralympic gold medals in dressage, questioned whether Pearson – who won three golds at the Sydney Games and then repeated the feat in Athens and Beijing – should receive a knighthood after adding just one further title in London.
Christiansen, who was made an OBE, said: “I really think they’re going about it the right way, because I’m only 25 and have so much more to give in order to be honoured in such a way.
“We should do more outside of our sports but I’m really glad Sarah Storey got a damehood. She really deserves it. She has done a lot outside of sport.
“Lee is such a great ambassador, however he didn’t win three gold medals this year like he has done, so the feeling is ‘Why award that (knighthood) if he hasn’t performed to his ability’?”