Queen’s New Year Honours: Tokyo Olympic gold medallists James Guy and Kathleen Dawson made MBEs

James Guy and Kathleen Dawson are to be made MBEs following their achievements in Tokyo over the summer, in which they became the town’s first Olympic gold medallists.

Guy won a hat-trick of medals at the games, with a silver in the men’s 4×100 metres medley relay following two golds in the men's 4x200m freestyle relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay.

The 26-year-old former Cardinal High School and Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School pupil, who grew up in Stockton Heath and was crowned Warrington Under 11s Sports Personality of 2007, was recognised for services to swimming.

Meanwhile Dawson, who was born in Scotland but moved to Warrington at the age of three, was part of the same mixed 4 x 100m medley relay team as Guy and also won gold.

Kathleen Dawson, Adam Peaty, James Guy and Anna Hopkin with their gold medals for the mixed 4 x 100m medley relay (Image: PA)

The 24-year-old, former Great Sankey High School pupil, who learnt to swim with LiveWire at Great Sankey Swimming Baths, was officially honoured for services to swimming and women in sport.

This is the latest honour for Dawson, who has recently seen a pool at Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub named in her honour.

She also returned to Woolston Neighbourhood Hub to meet the next generation of swimmers at Warriors of Warrington – her first swimming club – following her Olympic success.

The pair were praised by British Olympic Association vice chair Annamarie Phelps CBE, who said: “We are delighted to see so many of the Tokyo 2020 athletes recognised and wish them our warmest congratulations from everyone at the British Olympic Association.

“It feels like these honours and the recognition for the efforts and success of Team GB’s athletes at Tokyo 2020 are doubly special following another disrupted year due to Covid-19.

A swimming pool at Great Sankey Neighbourhood Hub has been renamed in honour of gold medal-winning Olympian Kathleen Dawson

Despite the games being postponed for a year, our athletes never faltered, they remained positive and continued to train in the most trying of circumstances.

“They have been brilliant and dedicated ambassadors to their sports and to Team GB.

“We are incredibly proud of each and every athlete’s performance in Japan, and it has been truly inspiring to see what it meant for each of them to compete and succeed in Tokyo, not only for themselves, but their teammates, families and importantly the millions at home that cheered them on at all times of day and night.”

Both will be looking to win more medals this year as the Commonwealth Games is staged in Birmingham.