Queen's Birthday Honours for Olympic and Paralympic figures
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Nick Skelton was awarded an OBE
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Grace Cullen 21 June 2012
Along with UK Sport’s Special Advisor for Performance Peter Keen, who has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), a number of athletes and influential figures from the world of Olympic and Paralympic sport have been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner, who worked closely with UK Sport on the successful bid for the 2017 World Athletics Championships, was awarded a CBE.
He said: "I was surprised and delighted to learn of the honour. I have hugely enjoyed the last five years, these are momentous times for the sport and I'm very proud to be chairman leading up to 2017."
President of the British Canoe Union, Albert Woods, was awarded an OBE, for services to Canoeing. Albert has been involved in canoeing since 1966, representing Great Britain as an athlete before moving on to manage the British Slalom Team for 14 years from 1973 – 1986. In 1976 Albert became a member of the BCU board and in 1992 was elected as BCU President. He is also the President of the European Canoe Association and member of the ICF Board of Directors.
He said: “I am flattered and extremely honoured, it is not often I am short of words, but to be award an OBE in the Queens Diamond Jubilee Birthday list, has left me a little lost for some. It is not only a wonderful recognition for me but a fantastic honour for Canoeing."
Peter Keen, Special Advisor for Performance at UK Sport, who has played a key role in the transformation of the UK high performance system, was awarded the CBE.
He said: “This award has reminded just how privileged I have been to have had a 30 year career immersed in something I am passionate about. The opportunity to work with so many extraordinary people doing incredible things across the globe has provided an array of fascinating challenges for which I am truly grateful. I have always been proud to represent the UK in and through sport, so to receive such recognition is a great honour.”
Veteran athletics coach Malcolm Arnold, still working for UK Athletics at 72, where he coaches world and European champion Dai Greene, was appointed OBE, as was Nick Skelton, who has competed for GB as an elite showjumper for 33 years and has high hopes of competing at London 2012.
Alison Williamson, earlier this year selected to represent Team GB at her sixth Olympic Games, becomes MBE for services to archery.
She said: "It was so special to be selected for a sixth Olympics, and when I was then chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in Much Wenlock - the birthplace of the modern games - I thought it couldn't get any better.
"But now I just feel overwhelmed to have been given such an honour by Her Majesty in her Diamond Jubilee year for services to a sport that has been my life for more than 30 years.
"It is such a privilege and I have to pinch myself to appreciate what an incredible year it has already been."
Former UK Sport CEO and Volleyball England CEO Richard Callicott was awarded an OBE for services to volleyball, as was Northern Ireland's Mike Bull, the 1970 Commonwealth Games pole vault champion, for services to sport and charity.
Sporting honours in full
Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE):
Zaha Hadid, services to architecture (Olympic aquatics centre architect);
Tessa Jowell, formerly Olympics minister, London 2012 board member, services to politics and charity.
Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE):
Paul Elliott, services to equality and diversity in football;
Peter Keen, special advisor, UK Sport.
Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE):
Malcolm Arnold, services to athletics;
Leonard Thomas Arnold, services to gymnastics;
Yvonne Arnold, services to gymnastics;
Lorraine Baldry, chair, Olympic Delivery Authority planning committee;
Dr Michael Bull, services to sport and charity;
Richard Callicott, services to volleyball;
Jerome Frost, head of design and regeneration, Olympic Delivery Authority;
Ian Galloway, programme director and chief executive, CLM Delivery Partner for the Olympic Delivery Authority;
John Michael Glover, services to water polo;
Matt King, services to charity
Nick Skelton, showjumper.
Ed Warner, services to British athletics;
Lawrence Waterman, head of health and safety, Olympic Delivery Authority;
Philip Weaver, chairman, Professional Golfers Association;
Albert Wood, services to canoeing;
Simon Wright, director of infrastructure and utilities, Olympic Delivery Authority.
Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE):
Hamish Adam, services to karate;
Margaret Alphonsi, Saracens and England rugby player;
Alex Arthur, services to boxing;
Ivor Beeks, services to football and community in High Wycombe;
Sharon Brokenshire, services to disability sport;
Keith Cottell, services to swimming and lifesaving;
Lorraine Deschamps, services to sport and diversity;
Luke Donald, services to golf;
Peter Dury, services to groundsmanship;
Lt Cdr John Gawley, services to hockey;
Margaret Jackson, services to netball;
David James, goalkeeper;
Dr Jennifer Shute, services to British skiing;
Shane Williams, services to rugby;
Alison Williamson, services to archery.
Medallist of the Order of the British Empire (BEM):
Terence Downes, services to boxing and charity.
