Arise Sir Chris - Knighthood for cyclist Hoy

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Posted: Wednesday 31st December 2008 | 1:55

CHRIS Hoy has been awarded a Knighthood in the New Years Honours list – one of many Olympians and Paralympians to be recognised.

Sir Christopher Hoy - Olympic cyclist is honoured with a Knighthood
STUNNED: Chris Hoy receives a Knighthood in the New Years Honours list for his three gold medal haul in Beijing (Getty Images)

Hoy - who became the first British Olympian to win three golds at a single Games since 1908 – was widely tipped to become the first British Olympian to be knighted since Steve Redgrave in 2000.

"I was stunned when I first found out and the news is still sinking in. I'm not sure if I will ever get used to people calling me Sir Chris!” said Hoy, who received an MBE after winning his first Olympic gold in Athens four years ago.

"However, my family and girlfriend will have to call me Sir from now, I'm going to enforce that!”

Hoy’s mother, Carol, was also recognised, receiving an MBE for her services to healthcare – meaning a double family celebration.

However, trips to the Palace are not new in the family, Hoy's grandmother, Isa Reid, was made an MBE in 1989 for her work with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

"I was as delighted with my mum getting her MBE as I was with my knighthood,” he added.

"For cycling, it's a big deal. I always try to do what I can to promote my sport because I think it's a great thing to do.

"It's great for kids or for anybody to do at any level whether it's elite level or just doing it for fun."

Hoy’s award was praised by team-mate Bradley Wiggins – who took his Olympic career medal tally to three golds with a double haul in Beijing. Wiggins also saw his OBE upgraded to a CBE.

“It’s a totally deserved award – Chris is a total legend,” he said.

“He did the business in Beijing and has deserved all the praise he’s received since coming home but he still hasn’t changed and is still the same bloke. It’s an award for the whole of British Cycling.”

EXTERNAL LINK: BBC Blogs - How Chris Hoy's life turned upside down

Comments

Chris deserves it

Submitted by Bill Bartmann (not verified) on Thu, 10/21/2010 - 07:27.

Chris deserves this award. Having 3 gold medals is totally cool. But for sure it wasn't easy for him to get these medals. No pain no gain.
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His mother, Carol Hoy, a

Submitted by Joshimale on Tue, 06/22/2010 - 13:12.

His mother, Carol Hoy, a retired 61-year-old nurse, is recognised as one of Britain's top nurses dealing with sleep-related illnesses and received at MBE for a career spanning more than 28 years.
Sir Chris said: "Being knighted is the furthest thing on your mind when you compete at something like the Olympics.
"You train for your whole life and all of your sporting career to try and win gold medals and become the best at what you do."
He added: "If you're fortunate enough to do that an accolade like this is completely unexpected and such an amazing honour when it does come along."
The Edinburgh-born cyclist went on to praise his mother and said: "I heard about her MBE before I heard about my knighthood and I was so delighted.
"It's just such an amazing thing to happen to her because she's worked so hard all her life. Corporate Gifts Corporate Gifts acne treatments