11 Jun 2018
Sports people feature in Queen's Birthday Honours
BY Tom Walker
A number of sportspeople have been recognised for their work in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Sir Craig Reedie, the president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – who was knighted by the Queen in 2005 – has become a knight grand cross, one of the highest honours in the British orders system.
Described as “one of the leading global figures in the world of sport” by the honours committee, Reedie has been involved in the work of WADA since its foundation in 1999 and also served as the chair of the British Olympic Association for a decade from 1992 to 2005.
Sir Craig said: “This is truly a great honour for me and for WADA.
"It recognises the important work that we are doing in leading the fight against doping in sport and in protecting clean athletes against cheats.
"This award is a vote of confidence for everyone within the anti-doping movement, a reminder that our efforts are appreciated and valued by the wider world and that our mission is an important one for society as a whole.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool Football Club and Scotland legend Kenny Dalglish was handed a knighthood in this year's list.
Others to have been recognised include world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, two-time Olympic skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold former England striker Jermain Defoe.
All three received OBEs. While Yarnold and Joshua were awarded for their sporting feats, Defoe was honoured for his work with the charitable foundation he established in 2013.
Among other charity work, Defoe helped highlight the case of Bradley Lowery – a terminally ill six-year-old with the rare childhood cancer, neuroblastoma.
In the sports administration sector, former world curling champion Mike Hay has received an OBE for his work as Team GB's chef de mission at both the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics – the most successful winter games in British history.
There were also OBEs for Sarah Clarke, former All England Lawn Tennis Club championships director and Ian Ritchie, former Rugby Football Union chief executive. Both received their orders for services to sports administration.
Meanwhile, Roisin Wood (Kick It Out chief executive) was given an OBE for services to tackling discrimination and exclusion in football.
Those to have received MBEs include Chris Brindley, chair GreaterSport, for services to sport in Greater Manchester; Ronnie Sloan, SportsAid Scotland chair, for services to sport and charity; and former Northern Ireland Women's football captain Sara Booth, who was recognised for services to women's football.
For the full list of those receiving honours on the Queen's birthday, click here.
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