Olympian Honours List

[pdq1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/.../uk-politics-19516395

Would the cynical believe this new honours list is a method for downgrading their achievements? You can assume Knighthoods and Dames will not be part of the vocabulary.

[heathfield]

Isn't winning an Olympic medal a sufficient award in itself?

[emmie]

I would rather no one get these type of honours. The Olympians, Paralympians have all been brilliant, but i honestly don't see why they should be knighted or receive a gong, no more for politicians who have retired, or done their worst. Go up to the House of Lords, for what exactly.

[LazyGun]

It does seem a slightly odd move to me, to create a separate awards list to recognise the outstanding efforts of sportspeople from the general list.

I am not a fan of the honours system as it currently stands, in part because I dont understand it properly, in part because of the secrecy, and in part because it does seem that it is manipulated for political purposes, by and large.

I do think though that we should have an award system to recognise people from all walks of life who have made an outstanding contribution to the well being of their community....

[jno]

in theory not a bad idea, but isn't it simply replicating the medal ceremonies? I suppose it will give extra recognition to those who've won more than one event (Farah, eg) but that's about it. And who decides if bronze in a decathlon is worth more than bronze in beach volleyball?

[sp1814]

I think I must be in the minority of people who really enjoy seeing people who I like being rewarded in the Honours list. 

Yes, actors, pop stars and sports stars are amply rewarded in terms of recognition, fame and earngs - but you know...when they get a gong, it's like the Establishment saying "Yeah...we want to give you a pat on the back too".

Nothing made me smile more than seeing Kylie Minogue honoured for services to gay disco a few years ago.

Would love to see Jessica Ennis get something, together with Sarah Storey, Jonathan Peacock, Ellie Simmonds

Oh - and Danny Boyle...for producing an opening ceremony that trounced Beijing.

(Incidentally Your Majesty...if you're reading this, I REALLY want a CBE - not an OBE or an MBE...they're rubbish - I want the good one).

[Mick-Talbot]

I would rather have an AB badge.

[Mrsspagnoli57]

They received their medals for doing well in their sports and i feel proud of them-but don' go completely OTT and give out knighthoods and Dames and all the rest of the debased honours.

[boxtops]

It said in my paper that usually there is only a limited number of the different awards available for sports achievement, but the powers that be want to acknowledge so many more, this time round. That's why I understand they're running a separate list. Why not knighthoods and dames, pdq? - we already have Sir Chris Hoy and Dame Tanni Grey.

[jno]

I can't see why someone who does well at athletics is less deserving of honours than someone who does well at banking (such as the former Sir Fred the Shred). There's a bit more to it than just doing well; you've got to be seen as bringing honour to your country (except for politicians, I suppose), but Olympic medallists do this.

Like sp1814, I have no problems with people being given honours.

[anotheoldgit]

If these honours must be given out, perhaps we should revert back to days of yore when our brave warriors were made Knights.

[pdq1]

I don't think the powers that be have the athletes at heart. They realise that by giving them so many medals it corrupts the normal flow such as sacked MPs from their posts and the establishment in general.

If an unlikely comparison is to be made it was like the issuing of GCSEs where everyone gets a certificate with no losers but keep them all happy.

[boxtops]

I think that's cynical, pdq. Our athletes have proved the best in the world by their efforts - that's no mean feat.

[pdq1]

Boxtops.. knighthoods and dames will cease for athletes and be called something else.

[boxtops]

who says, pdq?

[pdq1]

I think its fairly obvious otherwise why bring out a seperate honour.

[mightyWBA]

The honours list was de-valued years ago.
My old man has worked since 1958 and still does a 40 hour week now.
Where's his award?
Should have just run around a track quickly a couple of times.

[pdq1]

An interesting story concerns Michael Winner. He was offered an OBE but felt so disgusted he refused it. Instead he nominated his cleaner for an OBE where he thought awards of this distinction should go to the lower classes.

[doctordb]

Who dreams of winning a cbe? The real medals have already been won.

[jno]

Should have just run around a track quickly a couple of times.

If he can do it as quickly as Rudisha, yes, why not?

If he does it as fast as me, however...

[pdq1]

Someone saw sense.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5024336.stm