PENTATHLON champion Dominic Mahony said he was proud to be made an MBE.

The 49-year-old, who lives in Cuxham Road, Watlington, was honoured for his services to the sport, which involves running, riding, fencing, swimming and shooting.

The two-time winner of the British Modern Pentathlon championships and Olympic bronze medalist has worked as a volunteer in the sport since he retired in 1994.

He was the first athlete chairman of the sport’s international federation and has managed Team GB’s pentathlon team since 1998.

He said: “The news that I would be getting the honour is one of the few good things to come through the post.

“I didn’t think I would have a career in the sport after retiring and I certainly never imagined I would end up doing what I have done.

“Few sports can survive without the people who give up their time to volunteer and it is an enormously rewarding thing to do.

“I am very proud to accept this honour, for myself and for the sport.”

Achieving Olympic success in Seoul in 1988, Mr Mahony was also British Modern Pentathlon champion in 1992 and 1994.

He lives with his wife Kate Houston, 45, and their three daughters aged six, nine and 11. Nine-year-old Olivia will compete in the British Schools Biathlon Championship in 2014 at London’s Olympic Park.