Sir Andy and Sir Mo: tennis and track stars are knighted
Tennis world No 1 Andy Murray has received a knighthood in England’s New Year’s Honours list.
The 29-year-old Murray was previously named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, in 2012 after becoming Olympic champion for the first time. But in 2016 Murray won his second Wimbledon and Olympic titles before fighting his way to the top of the world rankings.
Murray ended a triumphant 2016 in defeat, beaten for the first time by David Goffin in the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi.
The 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 loss in the last four of the low-key year-ending exhibition will hardly worry the Scot, who ends the year at world No.1, having won the Wimbledon, Olympic gold and the ATP World Tour Finals.
Murray is a two-time winner of the MWTC but will not be fighting for a third title on New Year’s Eve after being edged out by his Belgian opponent, who had never before taken a set off the Scot.
Neither man broke serve in the first set, which Goffin wrapped up on tie-break with a pair of aces to finish.
Murray, who was this month named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for a third time, made the first service break to take a 4-2 lead in the second but was immediately broken back by the battling Goffin.
Goffin then held and broke again, despite Murray establishing a 40-0 lead in his final service game, to progress to the final.
Looking back at the boy who arrived here from Somalia, not speaking any English, I could never have imagined where I would be today. Sir Mo Farah
Murray’s focus now turns to the Qatar Open in Doha as he builds towards his push for an elusive first Australian Open title this month.
Joining Murray in being knighted in British sports was Mo Farah, who retained his 5000m and 10,000m titles at the Rio Olympics in August, becoming the first British track and field athlete to win four Olympic gold medals.
‘‘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,’' Farah said Friday.
‘‘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.’'
Lee Pearson, who won his 11th Paralympic gold in equestrian in Rio, was also knighted. He already held the MBE, OBE and CBE awards.
Damehoods went to heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill and rower Katherine Grainger, who both retired from competitive action following the Rio Olympics.
Ennis-Hill added silver in Rio to her gold at London, as did Grainger, who came out of retirement to compete in the double sculls alongside Vicky Thornley.
Away from the Olympics, Wales football manager Chris Coleman was awarded an OBE for steering his national football team into its first semifinal at the European Championship.
Northern Ireland were eliminated by Wales at Euro 2016 in the round of 16, but manager Michael O’Neill has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE.