Britain's most acclaimed paralympic athlete, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, has voiced concerns about how Paralympians were rewarded in the New Year honours.
Britain's most acclaimed paralympic athlete, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, has voiced concerns about how paralympians were rewarded in the New Year honours.
The ex-wheelchair athlete has told the Daily Telegraph that there was a "lack of parity" with Olympic medalists.
The ex-wheelchair athlete has told the Daily Telegraph that there was a "lack of parity" with Olympic medalists.
Every Olympic gold medalist at the Beijing games was honoured. However, 17 of the 35 Paralympic athletes who brought home golds missed out.
Every Olympic gold medalist at the Beijing games was honoured. However, 17 of the 35 Paralympic athletes who brought home golds missed out.
"By the time 2012 comes around, we need to get this in order," said Dame Tanni.
"By the time 2012 comes around, we need to get this in order," said Dame Tanni.
"The reality - and it is surely not right - at the moment is that you have to multi-medal at the Paralympic Games to get a New Year's honours list award."
"The reality - and it is surely not right - at the moment is that you have to multi-medal at the Paralympic Games to get a New Year's honours list award."
'Parity'
'Parity'
Cardiff-born Dame Tanni told the Telegraph that she wanted to see equal recognition for all athletes in the honours lists by the time London hosts the next games.
Cardiff-born Dame Tanni told the Telegraph that she wanted to see equal recognition for all athletes in the honours lists by the time London hosts the next games.
"There is a lack of parity, and we are playing catch-up. When I got my MBE after 1992, after three golds and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona, there were hardly any Paralympians who ever received honours."
"There is a lack of parity, and we are playing catch-up. When I got my MBE after 1992, after three golds and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games in Barcelona, there were hardly any paralympians who ever received honours."
Dame Tanni won a total of 11 gold medals and was awarded the OBE and the MBE, and was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005.
Dame Tanni won a total of 11 gold medals and was awarded the OBE and the MBE, and was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005.
David Roberts equalled Dame Tanni's 11 gold medal wins at Beijing 2008
David Roberts equalled Dame Tanni's 11 gold medal wins at Beijing 2008
Her medal tally was matched at the Beijing games by Welsh swimmer David Roberts, from Llantwit Fadre near Pontypridd. He became a CBE in the latest honours list.
Her medal tally was matched at the Beijing games by Welsh swimmer David Roberts, from Llantwit Fadre near Pontypridd. He became a CBE in the latest honours list.
Swansea-based swimmer Eleanor Simmonds, a Paralympic double gold medallist, was made an MBE at the age of 14, the youngest person to receive the honour.
Swansea-based swimmer Eleanor Simmonds, a Paralympic double gold medallist, was made an MBE at the age of 14, the youngest person to receive the honour.
However, swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who also won two gold medals at the Olympics, received the higher-ranking OBE honour.
However, swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who also won two gold medals at the Olympics, received the higher-ranking OBE honour.
Welsh Olympic rower Tom James became a MBE, but there was no new year honour for disabled world rowing champion and Paralympic gold medalist Tom Aggar.
Welsh Olympic rower Tom James became a MBE, but there was no new year honour for disabled world rowing champion and paralympic gold medalist Tom Aggar.
Achievments
Achievments
Tim Reddish, the newly-elected chairman of the British Paralympic Association, told the Telegraph: "We are delighted to see these Paralympic athletes recognised in the honours list for their contribution to British sport and their magnificent achievements.
Tim Reddish, the newly-elected chairman of the British Paralympic Association, told the Telegraph: "We are delighted to see these paralympic athletes recognised in the honours list for their contribution to British sport and their magnificent achievements.
"We are, however, very disappointed that not all the Beijing 2008 Paralympic gold medalists could be recognised, but we look forward to more athletes being honoured in the future."
"We are, however, very disappointed that not all the Beijing 2008 Paralympic gold medalists could be recognised, but we look forward to more athletes being honoured in the future."
The Cabinet Office, which manages the honours system, is handed a list of athletes to be given awards by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
The Cabinet Office, which manages the honours system, is handed a list of athletes to be given awards by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
According to the paper, it is believed that the DCMS agreed the list with the British Paralympic Association before giving it to the Cabinet Office.
According to the paper, it is believed that the DCMS agreed the list with the British Paralympic Association before giving it to the Cabinet Office.
