Olympic champion Amy Williams receives MBE

WINTER Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams has been honoured for her Vancouver success by the Queen.

ANOTHER GONG: Amy Williams has both awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday honours list (Getty Images)

Williams became Britain's first individual Winter Olympic champion in 30 years - and the first solo women's gold medallist since Jeanette Altwegg in 1952 - when she won the skeleton title in Whistler.

"This is a huge honour and a privilege," said Williams.

"I'm so proud. I was absolutely stunned and completely blown away when I heard.

"This really caps what has been an amazing few months since I returned from Vancouver. I'm really excited about going to Buckingham Palace. I can't wait."

England women's football coach Hope Powell - who is expected to lead the Great Britain team at the London 2012 Olympics - receives a CBE after leading her team to last year's European Championship final.

"For me it's a real honour and a nice surprise but I feel I am accepting it on behalf of women's football in this country," she said.

"I believe this award is as much about the development of the women's game in England, how well the team has done in the last four years ending with us getting to the European final last year."

Rodney Carr who is credited as the behind the scenes inspiration of British medal success at the Royal Yachting Association and Shane Sutton, a key part in the coaching team at British Cycling, both also receive CBEs.

Chrissie Wellington - who last year won her third triathlon Ironman world title - and recently retired former Commonwealth and European badminton champion Donna Kellogg - are both awarded MBEs.