COOKSON RECEIVES OBE

BRITISH Cycling president Brian Cookson has been awarded an OBE for services to sport, while cycling was further recognised in the New Year Honours list with fellow BC official, Doug Dailey, receiving the MBE.

In a list which featured dozens of sportsmen and women, Lancashire-based Cookson believes his OBE is recognition for the achievements of the organisation of a whole, rather than just for him.

?I was obviously delighted and surprised to receive the honour,? he told Cycling Weekly. ?I received a letter about six weeks ago telling me that the Prime Minister was minded to give me the OBE, but it?s been really difficult because I couldn?t tell anybody about it.

?I think it will help us to raise the profile of cycling even more, especially with Doug having been given the MBE as well.

?When I first got involved in the administration of the sport back in the 1980s I never thought that I would be president, and I certainly never thought I would be given an OBE.

?We?ve come a long way since the early days. The sport has been completely remodelled, and we?re now in a superb position where people expect us to win medals each time there?s an event. We have a lot to be proud of with our sport, but we need to focus on the future.?