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Wiggins and Ainslie knighted in New Year Honours list

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'Sir Wiggo' amused by knighthood

Cyclist Bradley Wiggins has been knighted in the New Year Honours list after winning the Tour de France and then gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

GB cycling's performance director Dave Brailsford, who helped Wiggins become the first Briton to win the Tour, is also made a sir.

Also knighted are four-time Olympic sailing champion Ben Ainslie and GB rowing chief Dave Tanner.

Brailsford on "weird" knighthood

Sarah Storey, winner of multiple Paralympic gold medals, is made a dame.

A knighthood caps a dream year for Wiggins, who was named the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in December 2012, after he won the Tour in July and the Olympic time trial in August.

The 32-year-old called the honour the "ultimate accolade", adding he felt it was acknowledgment not only of his achievements in 2012 but over the past 12 years.

"I never ever imagined that I would ever become a knight, so it's an incredible honour," said Wiggins. "But there's a slight element of disbelief and it will take a while to sink in."

The four-time Olympic champion said it would also add to his appeal amongst his French fans.

"They will love it," he said. "It will add to the myth. I will have to get a bowler hat as well. They are fascinated slightly with our Britishness, our culture and things like knighthoods, so it is a nice thing to have."

Storey claimed four cycling golds at the London Paralympics to add to the two she won at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Speaking about her award, she said: "It's an incredible feeling. It's hard to put into words other than just it is the greatest honour."

Before switching to para-cycling, Storey won five Paralympic golds in the swimming pool. She claimed two at Barcelona in 1992 and then three at the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

Her 11 Paralympic titles are only matched by legendary wheelchair athlete Baroness Grey-Thompson and swimmer Dave Roberts. Her collection of 22 medals of all colours is unsurpassed.

"We feel so fortunate that 2012 will always stand out as being the most incredible year," said 35-year-old Storey, who is married to fellow Paralympic gold medallist Barney Storey.

Asked how she had reacted to hearing the news that she would become a dame, she replied: "We had a chuckle. It's unbelievable to think that that's my new title. It's a real honour. There is no other way to describe it."

The honours list is dominated by athletes and coaches from the Olympics and Paralympics after their inspirational success this summer.

Brailsford, who also masterminded Britain's dominance in cycling at the Olympics and Paralympics as well as helping Wiggins win the Tour as Team Sky boss, said it felt "weird" and "uncomfortable" to be knighted.

Dame Sarah Storey: "It's unbelievable to think that that's my new title"

"It is quite humbling and it really is something to try to get my head around," added the 48-year-old.

"I'm very lucky and aware that the sport of cycling has grown and that we have had great success because it is a team effort over a long, long period of time."

Ainslie has more Olympic medals than any other sailor. After winning silver in Atlanta in 1996, he went on to take gold in Sydney, Athens, Beijing and London.

He is fourth in the list of Britain's all-time individual medallists behind Sir Chris Hoy (cycling: six gold, one silver), Sir Steve Redgrave (rowing: five gold, one bronze) and Wiggins (cycling: four gold, one silver, two bronze).

The 35-year-old,who retired from Olympic sailing in November, admitted he never dreamt of being knighted when he began Olympic sailing more than 20 years ago.

"This is an incredible honour," added Ainslie, who will attempt to win the Americas Cup in 2013,

"I couldn't have achieved this honour without the support of all the people who have helped me throughout my career and so I hope they can also take some pride in this moment."

Tanner has been GB rowing's performance director since 1996, leading the sport through the most successful period in its history.

Ainslie says knighthood is a "proud moment"

Britain won three medals at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, four in Athens in 2004, and six at Beijing 2008 before taking nine, including four gold, at London 2012.

Andy Murray, who also won gold at the Games, becomes an OBE. After his men's singles victory at London 2012, the Scot became the first British man in 76 years to win a Grand Slam tournament when he triumphed at the US Open in September.

Others from the world of sport who are recognised for their contributions include former England cricketers Mark Ramprakash and Robert Croft who are appointed MBEs. Former England cricket captain and Kent president Mike Denness is given an OBE for services to sport, 37-and-a-half years after his last Test match.

Ex-Arsenal assistant manager Pat Rice and former rugby league star Paul Sculthorpe are also appointed MBEs.

Former Wales and Lions wing JJ Williams also becomes an MBE for services to rugby and charity in Wales.

David Sheepshanks, the joint-acting chairman of the Football Association, is appointed a CBE. He oversaw the building of the National Football Centre near Burton, which opened in October, and was chairman of Ipswich Town for 13 years from 1995 to 2008.

OLYMPIANS IN NEW YEAR HONOURS

Knighthood: Ben Ainslie - sailing; Bradley Wiggins - cycling

CBE: Katherine Grainger - rowing; Jessica Ennis - athletics; Mo Farah - athletics; Victoria Pendleton - cycling.

OBE: Charlotte Dujardin - equestrian; Jason Kenny - cycling; Andy Murray - tennis; Laura Trott - cycling.

MBE: Nicola Adams - boxing; Tim Baillie - canoeing; Laura Bechtolsheimer - equestrian; Scott Brash - equestrian; Alistair Brownlee - triathlon; Steven Burke - cycling; Luke Campbell - boxing; Peter Charles - equestrian; Katherine Copeland - rowing; Helen Glover - rowing; Alex Gregory - rowing; Carl Hester - equestrian; Philip Hindes - cycling; Sophie Hosking - rowing; Jade Jones - taekwondo; Anthony Joshua - boxing; Peter Kennaugh - cycling; Dani King - cycling; Mary King - equestrian; Ben Maher - equestrian; Ed McKeever - canoeing; Joanna Rowsell - cycling; Greg Rutherford - athletics; Louis Smith - gymnastics; Heather Stanning - rowing; Etienne Stott - canoeing; Anna Watkins - rowing; Peter Wilson - shooting.

PARALYMPIANS IN NEW YEAR HONOURS

Dame: Sarah Storey - cycling.

CBE: David Weir - athletics.

OBE: Sophie Christiansen - equestrian; Ellie Simmonds - swimming.

MBE: Jessica-Jane Applegate - swimming; Natasha Baker - equestrian; Danielle Brown - archery; Mickey Bushell - athletics; Hannah Cockroft - athletics; Mark Colbourne - cycling; Josef Craig - swimming; Deborah Criddle - equestrian; Aled Davies - athletics; Neil Fachie - cycling; Jonathan Fox - swimming; Heather Frederiksen - swimming; Oliver Hynd - swimming; Helena Lucas - sailing; Craig MacLean - cycling; Nigel Murray - boccia; Jonnie Peacock - athletics; Josie Pearson - athletics; Pam Relph - rowing; Naomi Riches - rowing; James Roe - rowing; David Smith - rowing; Lily van den Broecke - rowing; Sophie Wells - equestrian; Richard Whitehead - athletics.

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201 comments

  • Comment posted by User0038753008, at 10:43 29 Dec 2012

    Congratulations Sir Wiggo! A very nice guy who's humble and dedicated. A proper role model. He'll be delighted, and I for one am delighted for him, and hopefully his success will encourage more people to get on their bikes...

  • Comment posted by birkyy, at 13:25 29 Dec 2012

    @80

    He's helped fund a women's cycling team. Women's sport alone is far less appreciated and covered by the media, fans and money so for him to use his money raised by his charity to provide a better career for female cyclists, that is deserving of some award. I can expect him to do more in the future but he's not trying to kiss the feet of the public by donating everything in a heartbeat.

  • Comment posted by Mike J, at 11:13 29 Dec 2012

    Some people really have no idea. In Olympic terms, Brad didn't just win a medal, but is now the most decorated British Olympian of all time and his medals span four consecutive games.
    In cycling terms, this year alone Brad has won the Dauphine, Romandie, and Paris-Nice. No one in history has achieved that, let alone Britain. Oh, and the biggest event in the world - Le Tour de France. Undeserved?

  • Comment posted by ddt510, at 13:42 29 Dec 2012

    while everyone here is talking about wiggins and his knighthood, let's also give a shout for sir ben ainslie, who is hardly getting a mention on here although he was also knighted as well as wiggins. congrats to the most succesful olympic sailor of all time

  • Comment posted by User0037559957, at 14:43 29 Dec 2012

    People saying "he doesn't deserve it because I hadn't heard of him before this year." Well to be frank, you are just ignorant then. More medals at the Olympics than any other British athlete bar Chris Hoy. Sport doesn't just revolve around football. Wiggins has a successful team yes, but has risen to the top of the world in term of his sport. He has done a lot for charity and for women's cycling.

  • Comment posted by Gedfan, at 13:55 29 Dec 2012

    27. Rooney? You're joking? Prostitutes and a dirty player?

  • Comment posted by Feral Rabbit, at 11:35 29 Dec 2012

    Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

    Sorry but why should Rooney get a knighthood? Not really done anything for the country like win a World Cup or even the European Cup.

    If you read tyhe article Wiggo HAS spanned 12 years of achievements and thereby deserves his knighthood.

    Sir Shrek? Don't make me laugh

    Well done Wiggo. You deserve all the accolades you have achieved this year.

  • Comment posted by Peter, at 11:34 29 Dec 2012

    Reading this on BBC web site I was contrasting the Knighthood received by Bradley Wiggens with the MBE finally received by Raymond Roberts for his efforts as a code breaker at Bletcthley Park. Our values are wrong I think.

  • Comment posted by Feral Rabbit, at 12:08 29 Dec 2012

    @51. Shoot yourself in the foot why don't you! Rooney plays for his country and wins sod all. Let's face it he's only 'good' at Man U because he's surrounded by better players than the rest of the Premiership and lets not delude ourselves he plays football for himself and for his obscenely weekly pay packet.

  • Comment posted by sunny jim, at 14:47 29 Dec 2012

    What would Wayne Rooney get knighted for, services to whistling whilst talking. Seriously you may as well hand them out to anyone if Rooney gets one.

  • Comment posted by User0401507253, at 15:37 29 Dec 2012

    Only those whom are lacking in some respects could ever question those whom receive such a honour. Proud to be British and represented by such inspirational individuals.

  • Comment posted by AA, at 15:05 29 Dec 2012

    Sarah Storey has been representing GBR since 1992, the London Olympics were her 6th games, she fully deserves her award.

  • Comment posted by Ian Sankey, at 11:23 29 Dec 2012

    On a personal level, well done Wiggo... but each year, as the ever increasing slew of highly paid celebrities and sports people get knighthoods, OBEs, CBEs and MBEs I can't help but have this awkward feeling that awards which used to really mean something have been reduced to little more than an OK magazine 'biggest faces of the year' award.

  • Comment posted by User0617302868, at 14:31 29 Dec 2012

    Usual ignorant rubbish being spouted by people who think Olympians do nothing for 3 and a half years in between games ......

    Oh, and Rooney or Giggs being more deserving? Rubbish!!

  • Comment posted by User0870298095, at 15:04 29 Dec 2012

    Isn't it fabulous that we have a democracy in this country which has been well fought for and has given us fredom of speech? Pity that so many muppets only look at the headline, which does not always reflect the real story, and then jump in and put their foot in their mouth to defend their own sport or game with only a vague knowledge, or none, about others sport. Read the history first.

  • Comment posted by User0335908173, at 17:21 29 Dec 2012

    If there were medals and knighthoods for moaning and groaning, there would be plenty of awards given to some of the folk on this thread.

    Cheer up and get a life.

    Wiggins and the others worked very hard in their fields, excelled, and made Britain proud and brought smiles to millions.

    There's nothing wrong with that and a whole lot right with it.

  • Comment posted by User0755951610, at 14:10 29 Dec 2012

    yet Bill Tutte and Tom Flowers who saved thousands of lives has still been ignored for 60 years. Yet sportsmen who choose to do what they do and Cherie Blair gets a gong.. Makes me ashamed to be British

  • Comment posted by Monster Munch, at 15:02 29 Dec 2012

    @JohnC65 It isn't possible to Knight someone who is deceased. However, I would tend to agree that Kenny Dalglish and many of the others who have continued to fight tirelessly for justice for the victims of Hillborough are deserving of an award. Their day, just like the 96, will come.

  • Comment posted by Evs34, at 23:47 29 Dec 2012

    As a nurse I cringe when I hear people say these honours should go to nurses/firemen/forces/doctors etc. - why? Maybe they are deserving but there's a difference between doing an amazing job and doing amazing things that touch the lives if millions. Maybe there are even deserving bankers/businessmen/civil servants - who knows! There's definitely one deserving cyclist though - I know that much.

  • Comment posted by ItsOnlyBigHav, at 13:53 29 Dec 2012

    89 - well said on sir Ben.