Team GB Olympic heroes honoured by the Queen

A HOST of Britain’s Olympic stars were honoured by the Queen yesterday for their stunning achievements at the London 2012 Games.

Used to a starring role, Jessica Ennis, who took heptathlon gold, delighted the crowds at Buckingham Palace.

The 27-year-old received the CBE watched by fiancé Andy Hill, but confessed she was so nervous she forgot what the Queen said to her. “It still doesn’t feel real, to be honest,” she said.

“It was just an amazing year for British athletics and British sport and to be part of that in such a big way was incredible.”

Also receiving their honours yesterday was sprint cyclist Jason Kenny, 24, who was awarded an OBE, while MBEs were handed to long jumper Greg Rutherford, 26; flyweight boxer Nicola Adams, 30; and cycling team pursuit gold winner Joanna Rowsell, 24.

Performance director of British Cycling Sir David Brailsford received a knighthood for services to cycling and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sir David led Britain to eight gold medals for a second successive Olympics and Team Sky to a historic one-two in the Tour de France in 2012.

Sir David said he felt warm inside when he thought of their achievements: “I have seen their development for many, many years and all the laughter and the tears and the pain.”