Olympic Cycling Champion Chris Hoy Knighted By Prince Charles

Olympic cycling champion Chris Hoy was knighted by Britain's Prince Charles Thursday. The 33-year-old sportsman - who became Scotland's most successful Olympian ever when he won three gold medals in Beijing in 2008 - was thrilled with the honor, which was bestowed during a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

View Photos [39]
View Profile
View All News

Sir Chris said: "Being knighted is the furthest thing on your mind when you compete at something like the Olympics."

"You train for your whole life and all of your sporting career to try and win gold medals and become the best at what you do."

"If you're fortunate enough to do that an accolade like this is completely unexpected and such an amazing honor when it does come along."

Hoy went on to praise his mother Carol, who received an MBE to recognize her 28-year nursing career at Thursday's event.

He said: "I heard about her MBE before I heard about my knighthood and I was so delighted. It's just such an amazing thing to happen to her because she's worked so hard all her life."

"There are so many people like my mum who normally don't get recognized. It's people like her who dedicate their lives to their work and it's great this is acknowledged."