Alison WILLIAMSON "overwhelmed" as she is awarded an MBE

British archer Alison WILLIAMSON has been recognised in Queen Elizabeth II's Birthday honours list. WILLIAMSON, who will be appearing at a record equalling sixth Olympic Games next month, has been appointed an MBE—a Member of the British Empire—for her services to archery. She said she felt 'overwhelmed' by the recognition, describing the honour as "another fantastic achievement in an incredible year." An Olympic bronze medal winner at Athens 2004, Alison WILLIAMSON is currently preparing for this year’s Olympic Games at the World Cup event in Ogden, USA—her last major event before heading to Lord's, the venue for the 2012 Olympic Archery. She said: "It was so special to be selected for a sixth Olympics, and when I was then chosen to carry the Olympic Torch in Much Wenlock (photo)—the birthplace of the modern games—I thought it couldn't get any better. But now I just feel overwhelmed to have been given such an honour by Her Majesty in her Diamond Jubilee year for services to a sport that has been my life for more than 30 years. It is such a privilege and I have to pinch myself to appreciate what an incredible year it has already been." WILLIAMSON, 40, will become only the third British athlete in history to have competed at six consecutive Olympics, following in the footsteps of javelin thrower Tessa SANDERSON and fencer Bill HOSKYNS. She shot her first arrow at only six years old at her family home and has been a member of the Long Mynd Archers in Shropshire for 34 years. As well as winning a bronze medal, she is a former world number one and has many other titles to her name. She has helped mentor up and coming archers and when not competing is often visiting local schools and clubs to demonstrate her skills and pass on her wealth of knowledge and experience. She added: "Although the MBE is being awarded to me, none of what I have achieved would have been possible without the support of so many people throughout the years, from my family and friends, coaches and teammates, staff behind the scenes and sponsors—they deserve to feel very proud of being part of this wonderful honour." Among the first to pay tribute are Dave HARRISON, the chairman of Archery GB, and David SHERRATT, the chief executive. Said Mr HARRISON: "I’m thrilled to bits to hear about this, and there’s no one more deserving of this award than Alison. I have never met anyone more dedicated and focused than she is, and that is why she has stayed at the top of her game at the highest level for over 20 years. This is also a great day for her parents, Sue and Tom. Like Alison, they are not only delightful people, but have given so much time and dedication to archery over many years, and this award will mean so much to them." Mr SHERRATT said Alison’s MBE was "thoroughly deserved" and described her as a "fantastic ambassador" for archery. "What Alison has achieved over many years is phenomenal, and my respect for her as an archer and a person knows no limits," he said. "She represents all that’s good about archery, and is a fantastic ambassador for our sport. And it’s not just in this country that she commands such high respect—all over the world she is held in the highest esteem for what she has achieved. This is a wonderful reward for her dedication to archery over many years, and that she is going to her sixth Olympic Games next month is testimony to the incredible hard work and sacrifice she has made for the sport." Archery GB Performance Director Sara SYMINGTON, who is in Ogden with the squad, said everyone is "overjoyed" at Alison’s award. She added: "It’s fantastic news for Alison, and richly deserved. Alison is one of the most focused and dedicated athletes I have ever worked with, but that’s why she is going to her sixth Olympic Games this year. As everyone else will tell you, she is not only thoroughly professional in everything she does, she is also a fantastic person to have around you, and is incredibly supportive to her teammates, who all—of course—look up to her and hold her in the utmost respect!" Follow Archery GB on Twitter: @archerygb Peter JONES Media, Archery GB, +44 (7841) 997408 Edited by World Archery Communication