17 May 2013

Double Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft (coach: Jenni Banks) today received her MBE at Buckingham Palace from his Royal Highness Prince Charles.

Cockroft was one of the stars of the London Paralympic Games as she won gold medals in the T34 100m and T34 200m last summer and was recognised today for her services to sport.

The 20 year old from Halifax had also won double-gold over the same events the previous year at the IPC World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, and is the current world record holder for both the T34 100m and 200m.

Cockroft said: “It’s been a really good day. When you’re there with servicemen and women and people who have risked their lives to do their job and I’m just there for doing what I love to do, you feel a bit inferior but it was amazing just to be recognised for you’ve done and have the experience of the Palace. I’ve really loved it.

“It was an amazing place to be, you’re in front of the throne in a room full of your family and friends and other people’s family friends, and it’s great to share that moment and be that close to the throne.”

Cockroft was also keen to thank her former coach Peter Eriksson, who is the current British Athletics Olympic Head Coach, for his role in her success.

“I’d like to thank Peter Eriksson, I wouldn’t have got that without him so that was for him because he’s never going to get one so I got it for him.”