Kent’s Lizzy Yarnold hopes her OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List will serve as an inspiration to other athletes to pursue success in their respective sports.

Yarnold made history in Pyeongchang in February when her victory in the women’s skeleton made her the first British athlete to defend a Winter Olympic title.

The 29-year-old, who was awarded an MBE after her initial triumph at the Sochi 2014 Games, claimed victory by almost half a second over silver medallist Jacqueline Lolling of Germany.

Yarnold said: “I am hugely honoured as it’s been a great year for me and Team GB, and to receive it on the Queen’s Birthday Honours list means so much to me.

“I want to encourage future generations of athletes and Olympians and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for my sport and for Team GB.”