Honours for Team GB's Olympic athletes and coaches not formally limited
By Sky News
Last Updated: 22/08/16 2:00pm
There will be no formal cap on the number of honours available for Team GB's Olympic athletes and coaches, Downing Street has said.
Number 10 said Prime Minister Theresa May wants to see their success recognised following their phenomenal efforts in Brazil, which saw Team GB finish second in the medals table.
The PM's official spokeswoman said: "We have had an amazing fortnight at the Rio Olympics and we should be looking at the differing ways that we can recognise and reward the athletes for all they have achieved, and honours are there to recognise and reward people."
Mo Farah, given a CBE after his London 2012 success, has admitted he would be thrilled to receive a knighthood after his "double double" triumph in Rio, with other stars also expected to be honoured.
Great Britain won 67 medals - two more than the London Games - becoming the first nation to improve on its medal tally four years after hosting the Olympics.
The impressive medal haul - with 27 golds for athletes including Mo Farah, Nicola Adams, Laura Trott and Jason Kenny - made Rio Team GB's most successful Olympics since 1908 and best ever 'away' Games.
The US topped the table with 46 golds and 121 medals overall, but a final day gold from Farah, silver from boxing super-heavyweight Joe Joyce and three bronze medals helped Team GB pip China to second place.
Boxer Nicola Adams, who already has an MBE, could be due for another honour after she defended her Olympic title.
Cycling golden couple Jason Kenny and Laura Trott, who gained more medals than most of the countries competing, are also tipped for honours.
Kenny received an OBE in the Queen's New Years Honours after the London Games.
Tennis star Andy Murray has already been touted as a possible recipient of a knighthood, having already been awarded an OBE following his success at the US Open and Olympics in 2012.
Other possibilities for honours could include the Brownlee brothers, Alistair and Jonny, who finished as the top two in the triathlon; goalkeeper Maddie Hinch, pivotal in the women's hockey success; golfer Justin Rose and Liam Heath, who won gold to become Britain's most successful canoeist.
Nominations can be made by anyone, but names are reviewed by the relevant honours committee and checked by various Government departments before they are approved by the Queen.