London, July 23(ANI): British Prime Minister David Cameron has backed a move to honour Britain's first ever Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins with a knighthood.
According to close aides, Wiggins' name will be put forward by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Cameron was 'very supportive' of this recommendation.
Sources also claim that Wiggins has 'a very good chance' of becoming Sir Bradley.
Cameron congratulated Wiggins on his 'brilliant' win, saying it was 'the perfect backdrop' to give the country a lift ahead of the Olympics.
"I am, like everyone in the country, absolutely delighted. Bradley Wiggins has scaled one of the great heights of British sporting achievement," The Daily Mail quoted Cameron, as saying.
"To be the first British person in 109 years to win the Tour de France is an immense feat of physical and mental ability and aptitude. I think the whole country wants to say "well done, brilliant," he added.
Wiggins already has three Olympic gold medals on the track, one behind Sir Chris Hoy's haul, and he is a bookies' favourite to win the London Games time-trial event on the road.
Wiggins was given an Order of the British Empire in the 2005 New Year's honours for services to cycling after he won gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.A senior government source said: "He has a very good chance of getting a knighthood. The Prime Minister is very supportive."
A source close to the Deputy Prime Minister also backed calls for the knighthood and threw support behind Wiggins to be named BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
The source said: "Nick is certainly behind it. If he doesn't win Sports Personality, it will be a scandal."
Sporting honours are decided by the sport subcommittee of the Honours Committee, a panel of experts under the chairmanship of Lord Coe, the former Olympic gold medallist and chairman of the London Games organising committee. (ANI)
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