LONDON, 15 June 2003 — England soccer captain David Beckham was honored by Queen Elizabeth yesterday for being a great ambassador for his country.
Beckham, Britain’s most famous sportsman, is made an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the queen’s birthday honors list.
Former England cricket captain Alec Stewart was also given an OBE while athlete Colin Jackson wins the more prestigious CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire). The 28-year-old Beckham, married to former Spice Girl Victoria Adams, has dominated the front and back pages of newspapers this week as he looks increasingly likely to leave Manchester United.
Spanish giants Barcelona are interested in signing him in a deal that could be worth 30 million pounds ($49.98 million).
“He has been a great ambassador for the country on and off the pitch,” Prime Minister Tony Blair’s spokesman said.
Other sportsmen honored are boxer Joe Calzaghe and national hunt jockey Tony McCoy, who get MBEs, and 1968 Olympic 400 meters hurdles champion David Hemery, who was awarded the CBE.
Stewart, still England’s wicketkeeper at the age of 40, became his country’s second highest test run scorer last week during an innings of 68 against Zimbabwe.
He has played 128 tests, making 8,281 runs at an average of 40.19 with a highest score of 190, one of his 15 centuries. He quit One-Day International cricket after playing the last of his 170 matches at this year’s World Cup.
Jackson called time on his illustrious 18-year athletics career in March at the age of 36. He still holds the world records for 110 metres and 60 meters hurdles, the former time of 12.91 seconds set in Stuttgart, Germany, 10 years ago. Jackson won two world championship and four outdoor European gold medals, but he never took an Olympic title, coming closest when finishing second in Seoul 15 years ago.
