British cyclist Wiggins knighted by Queen Elizabeth II

LONDON (AP) Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and Olympic champion sailor Ben Ainslie were honored with knighthoods by Queen Elizabeth II in her New Year list.

Wiggins became the first British rider to win the Tour de France, and won the Olympic time trial 11 days later in the London Games.

Ainslie's won his fourth consecutive gold medal to become the most successful Olympic sailor ever.

The pair headed a special, Olympic-heavy honors list that contains all of Britain's gold medalists as well as coaches and top officials.

Sebastian Coe, who masterminded the smooth running of the games as chairman of the London organizing committee, was awarded a Companion of Honour - a title given to no more than 65 people at one time. Tennis player Andy Murray was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

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