Cyclist Chris Hoy is to made a knight for his Olympic heroics and every gold medallist from the Beijing Games has been rewarded in the New Year Honours.

In a move that breaks with tradition, Hoy will be knighted while still competing and will take part in London 2012 as Sir Chris.

The 32-year-old Scot said: "To become a knight from riding your bike, it's mad.

"But it is, genuinely, just an amazing honour, it's also great for the sport."

Hoy said he was just as pleased to see his mother Carol receive an MBE for her work on sleep-related illnesses.

Hoy, who was made an MBE after winning his first gold in Athens in 2004, was also voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year earlier this month.

Hoy is one of 10 Olympic cyclists to be honoured, while a number of Olympic coaches and officials were also recognised.

However, an expected knighthood for Simon Clegg, the British team's chef de mission in Beijing, did not materialise though that may come through in the Queen's birthday honours.

Reading FC chairman John Madejski is also knighted, for charitable services, and Lewis Hamilton receives an MBE after becoming the youngest ever Formula One world champion but otherwise the list is dominated by Olympians, Paralympians and their coaches.

Rebecca Adlington, the 19-year-old swimmer who won two Olympic golds - the first British woman to win an Olympic swimming gold for 48 years - receives an OBE.

Adlington said: "I'm absolutely delighted to receive and accept the OBE - it is fantastic to be recognised in the New Year Honours List. It's something I'll treasure for the rest of my life."

Swimmer Eleanor Simmonds, who was just 13 when she won two Paralympic events in Beijing, becomes the youngest-ever recipient of an MBE.

Simmonds said: "The last three months have been a whirlwind and, while feeling as though I am living a fairy tale, I want to work hard to keep my feet on the ground and refocus my efforts on my training and my schoolwork so that by 2012 I can hopefully repay in part the wonderful accolades and affection that I have received, for which I will always remains unendingly grateful no matter what the future holds."

Christine Ohuruogu, the only British athlete to win a track and field gold in Beijing when she claimed the 400m title, said: "It is nice to be called the Olympic, World and Commonwealth Champion and now to be made an MBE is extra special."

Sailor Ben Ainslie, who has won three golds and a silver at the last four Olympics, is made a CBE, as is cycling's performance director David Brailsford, and Bradley Wiggins, who won two golds in Beijing to follow his gold, silver and bronze in Athens.

Brailsford said: "Everybody in our team dedicate their lives to the pursuit of a dream - to win a gold medal.

"When they do get recognised in this way it is breathtaking and a fantastic honour.

"It is a great achievement for cycling, and a great opportunity to improve cycling at the grass-roots."

Other CBEs go to swimmer David Roberts, who equalled Tanni Grey-Thompson's record of 11 Paralympic golds, rider Lee Pearson who won three equestrian Paralympic golds, and David Tanner, the performance director of GB Rowing.

Sailors Sarah Ayton and Sarah Webb receive OBEs, after repeating their Athens success in the Yngling, while the third 'blonde in the boat' Pippa Wilson gets an MBE for her first Olympic gold.

OBEs also go to Iain Percy, who won his second sailing Olympic gold in Beijing, and to Stephen Park, manager of the British Olympic sailing team. Another double Olympic champion, rower Steve Williams, is an OBE recipient for matching his Athens success in the coxless four.

The rest of the Olympic champions receive MBEs as does Terry Edwards, Team GB's head boxing coach.