Kathleen Grainger receives CBE to go with her gold

OLYMPIC rowing champion Kathleen Grainger joined other stars of last year’s London Games at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace yesterday.

The Scot, who received an MBE in 2006, was recognised with a CBE for a memorable 2012, which saw her finally win Olympic gold with double sculls partner Anna Watkins after three successive silvers.

Paralympian David Weir was awarded a CBE after collecting a haul of golds at London 2012. The wheelchair racer, nicknamed the Weirwolf, was unbeaten during last year’s Games, winning in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and the T54 marathon.

A hard-fought victory at London 2012 made Sir Ben Ainslie the world’s most successful Olympic sailor. After collecting his knighthood, Sir Ben said: “It is obviously a huge honour.

“It is something to be very proud of.”

Lord Coe, head of London 2012, was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by the Princess Royal.

After the ceremony, he said: “It’s a lovely honour and I’m deeply flattered, but it is really signal recognition for the extraordinary work of so many people: our teams at Locog, the most talented, focused people I’ve ever worked with – passionate people – but also the people of Britain whose generosity of spirit helped get us across the line.”