 Ainslie now has another notable medal to hang round his neck |
Double Olympic champion Ben Ainslie has been presented with his OBE at Buckingham Palace. Ainslie won gold in the Finn class in the Athens games last year, adding to his Sydney gold in the Laser.
"It's a huge honour," he said. "It's not only for me but it is really nice for the people who have helped me."
Having joined Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace, Ainslie heads for New Zealand on Friday to prepare for his America's Cup debut.
Ainslie revealed that he intends to remain in Finn sailing and try to qualify for the Beijing Olympics in 2002, before targeting a fifth games in 2012.
He is hopeful that his Olympic finale will be in London.
"The London bid is as good as any," he said.
"It is a matter of working with the IOC and convincing them this is the right place for the Games in 2012.
"And if London won the bid, all sports would increase in support and profile."
MMIX
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