Cyclist BRADLEY WIGGINS "will lead an unprecedented list of sporting knights and dames in the New Year Honours list, with the new BBC Sports Personality of the Year one of four athletes likely to receive the highest recognition given to active sportsmen and women" in the U.K, according to Paul Kelso of the London TELEGRAPH. Wiggins and four-time Olympic sailing Gold Medalist BEN AINSLIE "have been recommended for knighthoods in the list, which will be published on Dec 29." Cyclist SARAH STOREY will also be "recommended for a damehood." It is understood that four-time London 2012 Paralympic champion DAVID WEIR "has also been considered for a knighthood." DAVE BRAILSFORD "will receive a knighthood for his work as performance director of British Cycling and Team Sky, as will PAUL DEIGHTON, the CEO of LOCOG." Other leading stars of '12, including JESSICA ENNIS and MO FARAH "can expect to receive honours, but given their relative youth, and the fact this was their first Olympic Games, they were not considered for the highest recognition" (TELEGRAPH, 12/17).
