Olympic athlete MO FARAH and tennis world No. 1 ANDY MURRAY have been knighted in QUEEN ELIZABETH's New Year's Honours List, according to Adela Suliman of REUTERS. Spice Girl and designer VICTORIA BECKHAM was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. The biannual honors list is "released on the Queen's official birthday in June and at the end of each year." Many British stars of the 2016 Rio Olympics and Paralympics were recognized, including damehoods for JESSICA ENNIS-HILL, who retired after the Games and rower KATHERINE GRAINGER, the first female Olympian to win five medals at five Games. ROGER BANNISTER was made a Companion of Honour, one of the Queen's highest awards (REUTERS, 12/31). The BBC reported boxer NICOLA ADAMS, Great Britain hockey captain KATE RICHARDSON-WALSH and Wales football Manager CHRIS COLEMAN received OBEs. Other OBEs include rowers PETE REED and ANDREW TRIGGS HODGE, cyclist ED CLANCY, Paralympians JODY CUNDY and ANNE DUNHAM and racehorse trainer JOHN GOSDEN. More than 100 people in sport were "included on the list." Great Britain's women's hockey players -- including RICHARDSON-WALSH's wife HELEN, -- "are all honored," together with other champions including gymnast MAX WHITLOCK, swimmer ADAM PEATY, golfer JUSTIN ROSE and Paralympic Gold Medal-winning cyclist and athlete KADEENA COX (BBC, 12/31).
JTA HONORED: Jon Tibbs Associates Ltd. Chair JON TIBBS has been awarded an OBE in the 2017 New Year's Honours list for his services to int'l trade and the sports sector. Tibbs was cited for his contribution to U.K. Trade & Investment's success in securing a £14B int'l business economic legacy from the hosting of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (JTA).
