Sporting stars honoured in New Year list

By Harriet Hadfield, Sky News Reporter

More than 100 Olympians and Paralympians have been included among the 1,197 people on the New Year Honours List.
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Every gold medallist from the Rio Games who hadn't already been recognised in previous years has been honoured.

Andy Murray becomes Sir Andy - awarded a knighthood for services to tennis, and for his charity work in a year in which he won Olympic gold and became world number one.

Distance runner Mo Farah - also awarded a knighthood - said it was a "dream come true" for a boy who, when he arrived in London from Somalia, was unable to speak English.
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Damehoods have been awarded to heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger.











Video:Who is on the New Year Honours List?
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News of Victoria Beckham's OBE for services to the fashion industry was revealed earlier this week, breaking protocol, despite a largely successful push by the Cabinet Office to clamp down on leaks this year.

From the world of entertainment, Kinks frontman Ray Davies, comedian Ken Dodd and star of screen and stage Mark Rylance have been awarded knighthoods.

:: Comedian Ken Dodd among celebrities recognised in New Year Honours List

Marcia Shakespeare, whose daughter Letisha was murdered in Birmingham in 2003, has been awarded an MBE.

The campaigner told Sky News: "It's overwhelming, thinking about 14 years ago when I was appealing for people to come forward about Letisha's murder, so you think 14 years down the line, it's a bittersweet moment."

The list also honours photojournalist Don McCullin, who has been recognised for his war photography with a CBE.

He said: "To be recognised for a lifetime's work, you think well I haven't gone unnoticed. That's the response I had."

Other sporting names on the list include recently-married couple Jason and Laura Kenny (nee Trott) who receive CBEs for services to cycling.

There is an OBE for Kate Richardson-Walsh and an MBE for her wife Helen Richardson-Walsh, for their role in the women's hockey team.

And there are MBEs for Paralympic swimmer Ellie Robinson and Olympic gymnast Max Whitlock.