Redgrave leads roll of honour

This not the first national honour he has received. After victory in Atlanta four years ago he was awarded the CBE (Commander of the British Empire and one rank below a Knighthood) and in 1986 he got the MBE (Member of the British Empire, the first medal on the honours ladder).

Redgrave told the press association: “I am absolutely delighted. No one starts sport for fame or fortune, they do it because they stumble across it and get a lot of pleasure from it and from there things lead on.

“Having gone through the heights of the Olympic Games five times and picking up honours along the way, it’s now finished with a Knighthood – it’s unbelievable. It’s not something I dreamt about.” Redgrave’s coxless fours team-mate Matthew Pinsent received the CBE to follow the MBE he received after winning the first of his three gold medals in Barcelona in 1992, with the other members of the crew (James Cracknell and Tim Foster) both receiving the MBE – as are the rest of Britain’s Sydney gold medallists not previously honoured.

Jonathan Edwards gets the CBE for his triple jump gold medal, following the MBE he received during his world record-breaking year in 1995.

Denise Lewis, who won heptathlon gold in Sydney, gets the OBE (Order of the British Empire and one up from an MBE, which she already holds).

In other sports former England cricket captain and 1960s batting star Ted Dexter is arguably the most distinguished British name in the list.

Nicknamed `Lord Ted’ for his regal approach at the crease which saw him attack the fastest bowlers of his era, the Cambridge University and Sussex cricketer, who later served as England’s chairman of selectors, receives the CBE.

Denmark’s former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and Italian jockey Frankie Dettori also received honorary MBEs for services to football and horse racing respectively.

Their awards are honorary as neither is a British or Commonwealth citizen.

Dettori said: “I’m absolutely ecstatic at getting the award for not only myself but also my family – I’m overjoyed.”

Dale Reid, who captained Britain’s women golfers to their famous Solheim Cup victory over the United States, is rewarded with the OBE.

In football there are MBEs for Brendon Batson, the deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association, long-serving Portsmouth goalkeeper Alan Knight and Southampton stalwart Ted Bates.