JOHN McNIVEN, double Commonwealth Games weightlifting bronze

medallist, and still competing actively at 58, becomes an MBE for

services to his sport.

McNiven has represented Scotland at a record six Commonwealth Games,

and uniquely, was in the same team as his son at the 1986 Edinburgh

Games.

Earlier this year, in Atlanta, he surrendered for the first time the

World Masters (veterans) title, which he had won every year since it

started in 1986.

At these championships he was inducted to the World Masters Hall of

Fame, the first man in his sport so honoured.

McNiven, from Springburn, believes his MBE is the first for a UK-born

lifter. Louis Martin and Precious McKenzie, Jamaican and South

African-born, who lifted for Britain, received honours in the seventies.

''I am celebrating this for our sport as much as myself,'' he said.

''It is terrific for weightlifting to be recognised like this.''