Following a record-breaking year for Team GB at the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio, athletes from Loughborough College have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Joining Andy Murray, Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Nicola Adams are College gold medallists Nicola White, Sophie Thornhill, Libby Clegg and Sophie Hahn.
Nicola White was awarded an MBE for Services to Hockey alongside her GB teammates following them winning all eight of their games in Brazil. The Loughborough College alumna helped the squad to their dramatic defeat of the Netherlands in the final which was watched by nine million people and saw them become the nation’s first female hockey gold medal winners and return from the 2016 Olympic Games with more gold medalists than any other Team GB sport.
Loughborough College student Sophie Thornhill was awarded an MBE for Services to cycling after smashing the Paralympic record with pilot Helen Scott with their women’s B 1000 m time trial win. The Sport student scooped her second Paralympic medal with bronze in the B 3000m individual pursuit.
Fellow Loughborough College athlete Sophie Hahn was also awarded an MBE, for Services to athletics after winning gold in the 100m T37 final in Rio. The 19 year old then struck silver in a British record-breaking relay with the women’s 4x100m F35-38 squad.
Libby Clegg was awarded an MBE for Services to athletics following an impressive sprint double in Rio with the Loughborough College alumna claiming victory in the 100m T11 final and the 200m T11 final with guide Chris Clarke.
Rio 2016 saw an incredible 32 athletes from Loughborough College compete, between them winning a total of 15 medals, including six gold.
Bill Sweeney, CEO of the British Olympic Association said: “We have become an Olympic powerhouse in recent years and that is in no small part to the considerable talent and effort exuded by these athletes who continue to unite and inspire the nation. Their presence in the New Year’s Honours is fantastic to see following the record-breaking success of Rio 2016.”
Sir Hugh Robertson, Chairman of the British Olympic Association said: “2016 has been a remarkable and truly memorable year for Team GB and Olympic sport in the United Kingdom. To end on such a high with the Olympians recognised in the highest possible manner is testament to their historic achievements.”
Pictured: Former Loughborough College student Nicola White and Great Britain celebrate beating Netherlands to win Gold in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Women's Hockey Final (Alex Whitehead/SWpix)