Cycling’s golden couple are now Sir Jason and Dame Laura Kenny after a host of Olympic heroes were recognised in the 2022 New Year Honours List.
Both made history in Tokyo with Jason becoming Team GB’s most successful ever Olympian with a stunning seventh gold medal in the Keirin, and ninth overall.
Laura cemented her status as Britain’s greatest female Olympian, adding to the four golds she won at London 2012 and Rio 2016 with Madison victory alongside Katie Archibald.
Among 39 honours given to figures connected with the Olympic movement, British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Anson received an OBE for services to sport.
Andy led the organisation through the Covid-19 pandemic and on to its success in Tokyo.
He said: “I am very fortunate to lead such a skilled and professional organisation, and to be part of the broader UK sporting network which has delivered sustained Olympic success.
“As one of a fortunate few that was able to attend this year’s Olympic Games, I can pay testament to the fact that Tokyo, despite all the challenges it faced, still delivered one of the great Olympic Games.
“Finally, I would like to congratulate the fantastic Olympians who have received a New Year’s Honour – you made the nation proud in Tokyo, and are incredibly deserving of your award.”
Anson was joined in receiving an OBE by four of Britain’s greatest-ever Olympians.
Hannah Mills, Adam Peaty and Max Whitlock all retained titles they won at Rio 2016 in emphatic fashion and Tom Daley won gold with Matty Lee at his third Games.
Peaty became the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title in the 100m breaststroke and Whitlock the first gymnast, doing so on the pommel horse.
Mills, who became the most successful female Olympic sailor in history thanks to 470 gold with Eilidh McIntyre, received an OBE for services to her sport and the environment,
Daley was also honoured for services to diving, LGBTQ+ rights and charity and his synchro partner Lee was given an MBE.
Lee was one of 27 athletes to be recognised with an MBE following their gold medal winning exploits.
BMX stars Beth Shriever and Charlotte Worthington led the way among the cyclists, joined by Tom Pidcock (cross-country mountain biking) and Matt Walls (Omnium).
Britain’s most successful Games in the pool saw 200m freestyle gold medallist Tom Dean receive an MBE.
His fellow 4x200m Olympic champions James Guy, Calum Jarvis, Matt Richards and Duncan Scott did so, with Scott taking home an all-time British high of three silvers and gold.
Freya Anderson, Kathleen Dawson and Anna Hopkin were recognised for their part played in the mixed 4x100m medley triumph.
British Swimming Performance Director Chris Spice is awarded an OBE for his role in Team GB's dominance of the sport and Stephen Park, his counterpart at British Cycling, was given a CBE.
Lauren Price and Galal Yafai spearheaded Team GB’s biggest boxing medal return at a Games and were rewarded with MBEs for their efforts.
The triathlon mixed relay quartet of Jonny Brownlee, Jess Learmonth, Georgia Taylor-Brown and Alex Yee were also recognised for their memorable success.
Team GB’s eventers carried on Britain’s proud equestrian success at Olympic Games as Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Oliver Townend won Team gold.
Joe Choong and Kate French delivered remarkable gold medal performances in their individual modern pentathlon disciplines and are among those to be honoured.
Stu Bithell and Dylan Fletcher-Scott teamed up to win gold in 49er class and both are recognised for their services to sailing.
Success across the sporting network was also recognised as ParalympicsGB’s incredible performance in Tokyo was celebrated with both British Paralympic Association Chair, Nick Webborn (CBE), and CEO, Mike Sharrock (OBE) among those to be recognised.
In addition to this, Team Leader for sailing, Mark Robinson, is awarded an MBE as his sailors ruled the Japanese waves, winning five medals. Jabeena Maslin (services to Modern Pentathlon), is recognised for her role in the success the sport enjoyed in Tokyo following Choong and French’s gold medal wins.
Key figures in the wider Olympic sport network were also recognised with former RFU Chair, Andy Coslett receiving a CBE and Deputy CEO at UK Sport, Simon Morton, receiving an MBE.
Speaking after the honours list was announced, British Olympic Association Vice Chair, Annamarie Phelps CBE, said: “We are delighted to see so many of the Tokyo 2020 athletes recognised today and wish them our warmest congratulations from everyone at the British Olympic Association.
“It feels like these honours and the recognition for the efforts and success of Team GB’s athletes at Tokyo 2020 are doubly special following another disrupted year due to Covid-19. Despite the Games being postponed for a year, our athletes never faltered, they remained positive and continued to train in the most trying of circumstances. They have been brilliant and dedicated ambassadors to their sports and to Team GB.
“We are incredibly proud of each and every athlete’s performance in Japan and it has been truly inspiring to see what it meant for each of them to compete and succeed in Tokyo, not only for themselves but their teammates, families and importantly the millions at home that cheered them on at all times of day and night.
“The awards for Andy and the performance staff are also great recognition for the commitment and dedication of the British Olympic Association staff and volunteers who delivered a fantastic environment for the athletes to go and perform in in Tokyo.
“Finally, everyone at the BOA would also like to congratulate the athletes and staff of ParalympicsGB, in particular those recognised in the Honours List. We enjoy a very close working relationship and their success in Tokyo is testament to their tireless efforts and to an incredible group of athletes.”
Full list of Olympic Honours:
Knighthood
Jason Kenny, services to cycling
Dame
Laura Kenny, services to cycling
CBEs
Stephen Park, services to cycling
OBEs
Andy Anson, services to sport, particularly during Covid-19
Tom Daley, services to diving, to LGBTQ+ rights and charity
Hannah Mills, services to sailing and the environment
Adam Peaty, services to swimming
Chris Spice, services to swimming and high performance sport
Max Whitlock, services to gymnastics
MBEs
Freya Anderson, services to swimming
Stuart Bithell, services to sailing
Jonny Brownlee, services to triathlon
Joe Choong, services to modern pentathlon
Laura Collett, services to equestrianism
Kathleen Dawson, services to swimming
Tom Dean, services to swimming
Dylan Fletcher-Scott, services to sailing
Kate French, services to modern pentathlon
James Guy, services to swimming
Anna Hopkin, services to swimming
Calum Jarvis, services to swimming
Jess Learmonth, services to triathlon
Matty Lee, services to diving
Jabeena Maslin, services to modern pentathlon
Tom McEwen, services to equestrianism
Eilidh McIntyre, services to sailing
Stephen Parry, services to swimming
Tom Pidcock, services to cycling
Lauren Price, services to boxing
Matt Richards, services to swimming
Mark Robinson, services to sailing
Duncan Scott, services to swimming
Beth Shriever, services to bicycle motor cross racing
Georgia Taylor-Brown, services to triathlon
Oliver Townend, services to equestrianism
Matt Walls, services to cycling
Charlotte Worthington, services to bicycle motor cross racing
Galal Yafai, services to boxing
Alex Yee, services to triathlon
@Sportsbeat 2021