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Golden boy Hoy tipped to receive knighthood

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Published Date: 21 December 2008
By Fiona Gray
OLYMPIC champion Chris Hoy's year of achievement could be topped off with the ultimate honour.
After winning three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August, being elevated to the status of national celebrity and becoming BBC Sports Personality of the Year last week, Hoy is now being tipped for a knighthood from the Queen.

It was reported last night that the 32-year-old Olympian from Edinburgh has been recommended for the knighthood by the sporting advisory committee at Number 10.

According to Whitehall sources, the Scottish cyclist will be included in the Queen's list of New Year honours along with 19-year-old Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who is set to receive an OBE in recognition of winning two gold medals at the Beijing Olympics in August.

Hoy, who won three of his gold medals in Beijing, would become the first knight of cycling in recognition of his achievement.

"Sir Chris" would also be unusual in the sporting world for receiving the honour while at the peak of his career, as most athletes are knighted in retirement.

The athlete, who already has an MBE, is planning to add to his total of four gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012, and earlier this month he announced his intention to delay his retirement until after Glasgow's Commonwealth Games in 2014.

When Hoy was asked about a possible honour in October this year, he said: "Any honours or accolades you get you gratefully receive, obviously, but you certainly don't expect them. And you wait until you're asked."

In August, Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart launched an early day motion for Hoy to be knighted, which gained cross-party support.

But rower Sir Steve Redgrave, who was knighted after retiring from his event, has previously said that Hoy should not be honoured until he leaves cycling.

He said: "If you knight him now and he goes on to get four gold medals next time or another three or only one, what do you do then? How do you recognise that?"

Hoy was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year last week, ahead of Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and Adlington, after receiving almost 40% of the public vote.


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  • Last Updated: 20 December 2008 11:58 PM
  • Source: Scotland On Sunday
  • Location: Scotland
  • Related Topics: Chris Hoy
 
1

Guga II,

Rockall 21/12/2008 01:24:07
The Quisling Maggie Broon is obviously trying to buy his way back into the good books in Scotland with a bit of bribery and a bauble. It won't work.

As a liar, charlatan, war criminal and Quisling, the only way Broon can repent is to resign, then hand himself over the the War Crimes Tribunal. We'll all chip in for his fare.
2

Brian Hill,

Edinburgh 21/12/2008 01:41:30
And well deserved too, well done Chris.

Can't wait to see him in Glasgow 2014 draped in the Saltire this time.
3

Observer. 1,

Glasgow 21/12/2008 02:04:14
He's not a political figure he rides bikes and that's cool. This really shouldn't be an issue unless he makes it one, yeah ?
4

FTH22inarow,

21/12/2008 02:54:04
tell them to ram it chris.
5

Finlang,

France 21/12/2008 03:57:33
Awarding these titles to athletes and sundry "celebrities" has long devalued whatever status such titles once had. (None these days, in my opinion.)

So-called media luminaries like Elton John, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, et al are no longer content with their millions. Their grossly inflated egos need desperately to be massaged long after the event. (Jagger whined until he got his.) Awarding Dameships to much younger people like Ellen McArthur and Kelly Holmes is plainly stupid and ridiculous.

Chris Hoy is an excellent athlete and a source of pride to all Scotland. For that alone he has been amply recognised and rewarded in his achieving three gold medals at one Olympics. Why the hell would he want to be "Sir Chris" on the back of that?




6

Greens,

21/12/2008 08:20:42
I was about to have a rant then noticed #5 had said it all. I think the millions wasted on Olympians is mre than enough rewarn. Remember OBE stands for Other B#ggers Efforts!
7

Greens,

21/12/2008 08:22:17
Corrected Version: I was about to have a rant then noticed #5 had said it all. I think the millions wasted on Olympians is more than enough reward. Remember OBE stands for Other B#ggers Efforts!
8

WKKB,

21/12/2008 09:27:15
I also agree with #5. The millions spent advertising the accomplishments of people who simply did their job really well is insane. Chris deserves to be recognized as what he is, an accomplished bicycle rider who took 3 gold medals in the Olympic games but that's it. All of the UK knows who Chris is and appreciates his talent as a rider without making him Sir Chris. It's all becoming so common place these days that it's lost a lot of the lustre.

It's the people who spend their lives in the shadows, serving quietly, without a lot of pomp and circumstanc; People who change other peoples lives... They are the ones who should be recognized.

Pick any Doctor or nurse who works with Operation Smile, who gives up their time freely to fly all over the world to perform 'life changing' operations on children who would themselves remain in the shadows if it weren't for such unselfish Doctors and nurses.

Or the everyday people who work tiresly to earn money for charitable organizations which in turn also change lives of people.

I'm sure Chris Hoy has inspired many young lads and lassies to ride bikes better and faster but he would do that without knighthood.

It's time to recognize the ordinary people of this country who do extraordinary things.
9

W U Merchant,

Aberdeen 21/12/2008 09:49:33
I don't know about an imperialist knighthhod but Chris should be revered for standing up to Salmond's bullying.
10

Rufus-T-Firefly­,

21/12/2008 10:17:08
Chris Hoy is Scottish, so who cares? He is just celebrated because he is the only Scot who has won anything, and he doesn't compare to the likes of Pincet and Redgrave and real English athletes
11

Rufus-T-Firefly­,

21/12/2008 10:18:09
10. Great post. I should be more revered than Hoy because I put in more hours pounding my keyboard (and myself) on here to defend our beloved England - i have been on now for 52 hours straight!
12

Dr Mike,

Edinburgh 21/12/2008 10:35:23
If anyone reads these comments, take note. Scotland on Sunday, this is not news it's just speculation.

The Honours system is devalued when people who do something for themselves are hailed as heroes of the Nation.

We should be honouring those dying for our country and making a difference in the world. We don't honour hamsters for spending 12 hours a day scuttling round a caged wheel, why honour people who havn't done a day's work in their lives.

Sport and celebrity are vastly over-valued. It's like a big club of mutual admiration, all helping each other to flood our media with their presence. From Question of Sport to celebrity dancing/ice skating/singing shows and jungle bunnies, it makes me sick.
13

Shug,

21/12/2008 11:42:00
too soon for knighthoods etc. Wait till the end of his career, and providing he has finished in style (i.e. not subsequently exposed as a drug cheat etc) give him gong then
14

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21/12/2008 11:50:38
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15

Scunner,

A baa deen 21/12/2008 12:08:54
What about Scotland's world champion bowlers and our former world champion darts players? Why do they not get honoured?

Cycling is a sport littered with drug cheats. Most just don't get caught.
16

Al Pacino,

21/12/2008 12:15:29
Not so, unless you can prove it. You can't though.
17

Bejjy,

21/12/2008 12:19:03
No matter what the jerks of this world like Gaga @#1 say, good on you Chris and I do hope that you are given a knighthood which will make all true Scots and Brits proud of you.
18

Bejjy,

21/12/2008 12:23:47
Has any one else noticed how the vocabulary limited Gaga @ #1 only makes one comment a day and that its usually made in the middle of the night. Me thinks he's being a naughty boy and is sneaking out of bed to use his mam's computer.
19

Chieftain,

Kettering 21/12/2008 12:55:05
Chris is the first Brit to win 3 golds in an Olympics for 100 years and at that time 75% of the competitors were from these Isles. In 2008 Chris'achievement is simply tremendous and "Sir" Chris is well deserved as far as I am concerned. The idea of any association between Chris and drugs simply highlights a complete lack of knowledge of the cleanest team of athletes I know. I hope he receives the honour he deserves. As a Scot I wonder if Sir Steve wishes to maintain an English bias on such awards for sporting excellence. He deserved his award and should not begrudge Chris - if it indeed happens.
20

moaning auld git,

auld reekie 21/12/2008 13:23:58
aye broon sooking up,he must have a bigger tongue than sabstian(wagstaff)
what about midge ure,he writes band aid song with geldof,gets involved etc,yet motor mouth gets a knighthood whilst the scot gets an obe,aye and maggie wouldnt let them get all the vat money on the recording
broons taking lessons from that rat bag
iron lady aye now reduced to rusty knickers
21

Evia,

21/12/2008 13:32:01
There is nothing special about these awards. They are handed out like sweeties and I certainly never refer to the recipients as Sir or Ma'am.

I hope to goodness that Brown and Blair don't receive one because the are traitors who have sold our country to foreign powers.
22

jkr,

Lochwinnoch Greater Glasgow 21/12/2008 13:40:40
The honours list nonsense should have been abolished years ago but as long as we have it Chris Hoy will be a worthy addition to the 'sirs' list.
23

Ewan M,

21/12/2008 15:48:18
#1 thank God all Scots are not like you.
24

moaning auld git,

auld reekie 21/12/2008 16:17:12
#24
no but the way broons going he will be ,hated more than thatcher,hitler and the rest
how does it feel now,voters in glenrothes?,just wait till the start loan sharking
http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2476965.0.Poor_hit_by_outrageous_Christmas_repayments_on_govt_loans.php
25

,

21/12/2008 18:16:17
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26

,

21/12/2008 18:22:22
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27

,

21/12/2008 18:23:44
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28

,

21/12/2008 18:25:15
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29

Bejjy,

21/12/2008 20:11:43
#27 Aberdeenshire Scot

Letters after your name, tell me do they start with F & W.
30

moaning auld git,

auld reekie 21/12/2008 20:47:46
aye broon the loan shark,hands loan outlet to credit union,so he can get their workers to tell people not to forget to vote liebour,on council estates,these plces are usualy run by liebourites,and if yerface disnae fit ,nae loan
now their denying it ,u turn specialists
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20081221/tuk-minister-denies-loan-shark-claims-dba1618.html
31

A Better Way,

Edinburgh 22/12/2008 00:20:18
Chris Hoy should be awarded a Scottish Award, similar to the Australian System.

There they reward people who contribute to the community good. People who dedicate themselves towards helping those in need. Most are volunteers who improve the community they come from by way of initiatives such as helping disabled, pensioners and those just down on their luck.

Chris should be awarded the Order of Scotland. There should be no reference to identifying him as better than anyone else, like Knighthoods or Lords.

There should be no recognition here in an Independent Scotland of titles, other than the ones gained through hard work and humility. Being identified as a valuable member of your community, doesnt give the impression that one is better than any other member of the Scottish Nation.

Well done Chris Hoy, you did very well in a competition that is as far as possible from the average member of your community. The Olympic Movement does very little for 5 million Scots except teach our kids that winning by cheating is acceptable. Kids having their sports day at School is a far better example of fair play.

Saor Alba
32

Sandi,

San Diego 22/12/2008 04:20:09
Who knew there was such a big gulf between three gold medals and two gold medals? Almost as big as the gulf between male and female.
33

tomi,

23/12/2008 02:33:53
A knight on a bicycle?
Back in the good old days knights rode horses!

But then, one of Hoy's bikes is probably more expensive than the average horse.
34

,

26/12/2008 22:04:22
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