Andy Murray and Mo Farah awarded knighthoods in the New Year Honours
ANDY MURRAY and Mo Farah have been given a knighthood in the New Year Honours along with para-equestrian Lee Pearson.
Damehoods go to heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger, who both retired from competitive action following the 2016 Rio Games.
Murray's knighthood caps a remarkable year for the 29-year-old - who had said he felt "too young" to be the recipient of such a prestigious accolade - claimed a second Wimbledon title followed by a successful defence of his Olympic crown and went on to take over as world No1 from Novak Djokovic following a superb run of form.
In February, Murray, who yesterday started his new season with a surprise 7-6, 6-4 loss to David Goffin in the semi-finals of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, also became a father for the first time and this month was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a record third time.
Four-time Olympic gold medallist Farah, meanwhile, will receive his knighthood after he retained his 5,000 and 10,000 metres titles at the Rio Olympics, becoming the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals.
The 33-year-old Somalia-born athlete is already a CBE following his double gold at London 2012. Farah said: "I'm so happy to be awarded this incredible honour from the country that has been my home since I moved here at the age of eight.
"Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today - it's a dream come true.
"I'm so proud to have had the opportunity to race for my country and win gold medals for the British people, who have been my biggest supporters throughout my career.
"My successes have only been possible because of their support and the commitment, sacrifices and love of my amazing family and the team around me now and over the years."
Pearson added gold from the Individual Freestyle grade Ib and silver in Dressage to his golds in Beijing and London.
The decorated Paralympian already held the MBE, OBE and CBE for services to equestrianism and to disabled sport.
Ennis-Hill, who had returned to compete in Rio after becoming a mother, has been made a Dame for services to athletics.
The 30-year-old from Sheffield added silver at the 2016 Games to her gold at London, and was already a CBE.
Grainger receives her damehood for services to sport and charity, the veteran rower having come out of retirement to compete in Rio, where she won silver in the double sculls alongside Vicky Thornley.
Olympians and Paralympians also featured heavily among those awarded CBEs.
Veteran equestrian Nick Skelton won individual gold at his seventh Olympic Games with horse Big Star aged 58 and is elevated from his OBE
Cycling duo Jason and Laura Kenny, who were married in September following their golden success in Rio, also both receive the CBE.
Dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin, winner of 2016 individual Olympic gold and team silver on Valegro, becomes a CBE as does Paralympian swimmer Sascha Kindred and Sophie Christiansen for services to Para-equestrianism.
British Paralympic Association chair Tim Reddish also collects a CBE for services to sport.
Among those to receive an OBE are football manager Chris Coleman who guided Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016, as well as Olympic boxer Nicola Adams following her successful defence of the flyweight title in Rio and also a gold medal at the 2016 World Championships.
Adams Tweeted: "It's an incredible honour and amazing way to end the year. Double-Olympic champion and now to receive an OBE really is a unique grand slam!"
Cyclist Ed Clancy, part of the victorious team pursuit in Brazil, becomes an OBE along with Paralympian Jody Cundy and Para-equestrian Anne Dunham.
Men's eight rowers Pete Reed and Andrew Triggs-Hodge will collect an OBE to add to their MBE following London 2012, as will Kate Richardson-Walsh who captained Team GB women to hockey gold in Rio.
Cricket broadcaster Jonathan Agnew will receive the MBE along with a number of Olympians and Paralympians who shone in Rio.
There are MBEs for swimming gold medallist Adam Peaty and sailor Saskia Clark along with para-athlete Kadeena Cox and diver Jack Laugher as well as wheelchair tennis champion Gordon Reid, swimmer Ellie Robinson and golfer Justin Rose.
Gymnast Max Whitlock will also receive the honour along with GB men's head coach Edmund van Hoof.
GB Hockey players Giselle Ansley, Georgie Twigg, Sophie Bray, Hollie Webb and Helen Richardson-Walsh are also among those honoured.
Nothern Ireland manager Martin O'Neill becomes MBE along with England and Chelsea Ladies winger Karen Carney, referee Sian Massey-Ellis and Arsenal Ladies defender Alex Scott as does racing driver Susie Wolff.