Gold medallist snubbed by New Year Honours List

Nathan Hales, the Olympic gold medallist in men’s Trap shooting in Paris, was notably absent from the New Year Honours List. Traditionally, Olympic champions received at least an MBE, but recent changes to the sport honours committee’s criteria have altered this long-standing practice. 

Only 41 athletes from the Paris 2024 Games were recognised, despite Team GB and Paralympics GB winning a total of 189 medals, including 63 golds. 

Nathan, a Sussex-based 28-year-old, set a new Olympic record by hitting 48 out of 50 targets during the competition. Previous gold medallists in Trap shooting, Richard Faulds and Peter Wilson, were awarded MBEs, making this omission particularly striking. 

Nathan said: “I feel very saddened that Olympic gold medallists no longer get the unique privilege of an MBE… it’s almost like our achievements are not as great or recognised. It seems to have come as a shock for the whole nation — I have had lots of calls and messages with people’s regrets around the current situation.”