Britain honoured its Olympic heroes today, knighting four-time rowing gold medallist Matthew Pinsent, and making middle-distance runner Kelly Holmes a Dame.
Holmes' victories in the 800 and 1,500 metres made her a national heroine while rower Pinsent's tears on the rostrum after winning with the men's coxless four moved the nation.
The annual list confers symbolic, traditional honours on around 1000 Britons from the great and good to little-known public servants. "The list pays tribute to outstanding achievement and service ... across the whole nation," said Prime Minister Tony
Blair's Downing Street office.
Tanni Grey-Thompson, who won her 11th Paralympic gold medal this summer, also becomes a Dame.
The four sprinters -- Darren Campbell, Marlon Devonish, Mark Lewis-Francis and Jason Gardener -- who won a stunning gold in the men's 4x100 metres relay, pipping favourites the United States by one hundredth of a second, all receive MBEs.
Reuters
