AN Essex gold medal winning cyclist has been named in the New Year Honours list.

Beth Shriever has become Member of the British Empire for her services to the sports.

Beth Shriever, from Finchingfield, made history when she became the first Team GB athlete to win a medal in the sport of BMX.

But it wasn’t just any medal, as Beth scooped gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Since her triumphant display, Beth has gone on to be an inspirational figure to many and was even handed an honourary doctorate of sport from the University of East London.

Her ground-breaking Olympic achievement was also followed by a gold medal in August at the 2021 BMX World Championships in the Netherlands.

To round off an amazing 2021 for the BMX star, Beth was also named as Essex’s Sports Personality of the Year.

Beth said: “This MBE is super special, what an honour, I can’t believe I get to have the title.

“The fact my hard work and success has been recognised at the highest level is insane and I’m so grateful.

“I would never have thought in a million years I’d be going to the palace to receive such an award. All I can say is, I still can’t quite believe it.

“I’d love to continue with the success into 2022. We will be racing all over the world, all year round so I’m super excited.

“Just need to defend my titles and maybe get a few extra ones along the way.

“My New Year’s resolutions are to make the most of every second doing what I love and to give it everything I got.”