DOWNING Street has paved the way for a large number of Olympians to be honoured by the Queen for helping Team GB achieve third place in the London 2012 medals table.
No 10 yesterday made clear there would be no limits on the number of Olympians and Paralympians who may receive gongs in the New Year Honours.
It comes after Britain's biggest medal haul since 1908 put them behind only the USA and China in the final standings.
With 43 athletes achieving gold at London 2012 and more expected in the forthcoming Paralympics, there has been speculation some could miss out on a trip to Buckingham Palace.
Jonathan Stephens, the most senior civil servant at the Department for Sport, warned that there would be no "automatic gong" for winning gold in London.
He pointed out the sports honours committee – which makes recommendations for awards – would be looking to recognise those who "put something back" as well as succeeding.
However, London Mayor Boris Johnson demanded all of the UK's Olympic gold medallists be rewarded, saying Team GB's haul was "unquestionably worthy of official recognition".
In the face of mounting pressure, Downing Street yesterday said that new rules drawn up by Sir Bob Kerslake, the head of the Civil Service, meant there was no limit to the number of honours available.
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