The 23-year-old, who won a pommel horse silver medal and men's team bronze at the London 2012 Olympics, described being awarded the honour in the New Year's Honours list as something that "live with me forever".

"As an athlete I just want to be the best athlete I can be, having my mum give me so much support and my coach and various sponsors you just want to make everyone proud and make yourself proud," said Smith, who also won a bronze medal at Beijing 2008.

"And to get three Olympic medals out of it and be awarded with a MBE (Member of the British Empire) is just it will live with me forever, no one can take this away from me."


Alongside Smith, Sophie Hosking, who won gold in the lightweight women's double sculls at London 2012, and Paralympic dressage double gold medallist Natasha Baker, were also awarded MBEs.

Baker said being chosen for the honour was "absolutely incredible".

Rob McCracken, the British Amateur Boxing Association performance director who overlooked a haul of five medals at London 2012, also received an MBE.

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