I have absolutely nothing against Chris Hoy. He is a great sportsman and the sort of person you would hold up as a genuine role model.

He has been knighted in the UK New Year honours, a decision I cannot make any sense of at all.

The team GB cyclists did very well in the Beijing Olympics after receiving seriously increased funding and although Chris Hoy won three gold medals, how can the government justify making him a Knight?

Sir Alex Ferguson got a knighthood after winning a Champions League yet Bob Paisley died with only an OBE to his name despite winning three European Cups.

The UK honours system is now a joke. Elton John, Tom Jones and Terry Wogan have all received knighthoods for a range of wonderful achievements ranging from drug abuse to laughing at foreign musicians so perhaps Hoy should be a bit embarrassed by his award.

The culture of wanting something for nothing and creating celebrity and fame for people who have done nothing or have no talent is underlined when knighthoods are handed out to people whose achievements cannot be considered to be extraordinary. Winning three Olympic golds is certainly not a simple task but it is certainly made easier when your training is fully funded and you are paid to dedicate your entire life to preparing for it.

Fair play to Chris Hoy for his sporting achievements but making him a Knight is ridiculous.