Bradley Wiggins is set to lead the list of Olympic and Paralympic heroes in the Queen's New Year's honours list, however the Tour de France winner's response to the possibility of a knighthood could come back to haunt him.
After Wiggins took gold in the London 2012 Olympic road race, he was asked about the possibility of becoming 'Sir Bradley Wiggins'. The 32-year-old did not sound too enthused.
"How does Sir Wiggo sound? It doesn’t quite sound right, does it?" Wiggins replied.
"It is what it is. As much as it would be an honour to receive something like that, I don’t think I would ever use it. I’d just put it in the drawer. I’ll always just be Brad."
Wiggins celebrates his London 2012 road race win
The Daily Telegraph reports BBC Sports Personality of the Year Wiggins and four-time Olympic gold medal sailor Ben Ainslie have been recommended for knighthoods. Cyclist Sarah Storey has been recommended for damehood after becoming Britain's most decorated Paralympian and four-time London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist David Weir could also receive a knighthood.
Other sporting personalities in contention for honours are Team Sky and Team GB cycling coach Dave Brailsford, already awarded a CBE, who was the deserved recipient of the SPOTY coach of the year award.
Team GB recorded a record haul of 65 Olympic medals at the spectacular London 2012 Games, and other outstanding athletes such as Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis could also be in line for royal recognition.