DECEMBER 30, 2000

Sir Jackie will have to wait

THE British New Year's Honours List featured a number of sportsmen, including a knighthood for multiple Olympic rowing champion Steve Redgrave but there was no knighthood for Jackie Stewart and there were no awards for the motor racing industry as the list was dominated by Olympic athletes. All 22 medal winners from the Sydney Olympic Games received awards as did five members of the British paralympics team. Among other sportsmen to receive awards were jockey Frankie Dettori.

The publication of the list ends speculation that Stewart was to be recognized for his three World Championships in 1969, 1971 and 1973 and the success of his F1 team, which he sold to the Ford Motor Company at the start of 2000.

The honours list is decided by the government and given Prime Minister Tony Blair's misfortunes with regard to motor racing, it is perhaps no surprise that he has overlooked the sport.