A number of Team GB athletes have been named in the King's Birthday Honours List for 2024 in recognition of their remarkable contributions to sport and society.
Mark Cavendish MBE receives a Knighthood for services to cycling and to charity. Widely considered among the greatest road sprinters of all time, the three-time Olympian counts a silver medal from Rio 2016 among his extensive achievements from a career spanning almost 20 years to date. Alongside a World Road Race title and three World Madison titles, he holds the joint record for the most Tour de France stage victories among a grand total of 55 grand tour stage wins.
Anita Neil, who became the first Black woman to represent Great Britain at an Olympic Games when she competed at Mexico City 1968, has been awarded an MBE for services to athletics. She raced in the 100m and 4x100 relay in both Mexico City and at Munich 1972 before retiring from sport aged just 23, but remains an active member of the athletics community where she inspires young people to embrace active lifestyles.
Double Olympic medallist and Sport England Chair Chris Boardman has been recognized with a CBE for his services to active travel. Now National Active Travel Commissioner for Active Travel England, Boardman advocates for safer, more accessible travel options, promoting both health and sustainability across the nation.
Barbara Slater, former Director of BBC Sport, has been awarded an CBE for her contributions to sports broadcasting. Formerly an artistic gymnast who represented Team GB at the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, Slater oversaw coverage of seven Olympic Games at the BBC during her 15-year directorship.
Olympian Karen Carney has been honoured with an OBE for her services to football. On top of representing Team GB at London 2012, Carney’s exceptional sporting career spanned four FIFA Women’s World Cups and four UEFA Women’s Euros.
Former bobsledder Stuart Benson, who won bronze for Team GB at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, has been recognized with an MBE for services to sport.
And David McNulty, Head Coach at British Swimming’s Performance Centre in Bath, has been honoured with an MBE for his services to swimming, while Esther Britten, UK Sport’s Head of Major Events, receives an MBE for services to sport.
Annamarie Phelps, British Olympic Association Vice Chair, said, ““We are delighted to see so many of our Olympians recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours list, alongside those who help make sport happen. Their contributions exemplify the excellence of British sportsmen and women, and the passion with which they continue to actively support their communities. It is fabulous to see the work of those behind the scenes celebrated for their dedication to supporting athletes and giving them the stage and confidence on which they can shine. On behalf of the British Olympic Association I would like to congratulate them all.”