BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer has been knighted by Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II in her 75th birthday honours.
The 1996 Men’s Singles Olympic gold medallist was one of two sporting heroes awarded the Order of the Dannebrog (knighthood); the other being golfer, Thomas Bjorn, who has played on three Ryder Cup-winning squads.
The national honours were announced on the Queen’s birthday – Thursday 16 April – and Høyer will receive his knighthood in a ceremony at a later date. He is the second Danish badminton icon to be knighted, following seven-time All England champion, Erland Kops, in 2000.
“I am proud and happy to be recognised in this way. Not many sportspersons in Denmark have received this and I am humbled to be chosen among them for this honour,” said Høyer, speaking from Sochi, Russia, where he is representing BWF at the SportAccord Convention.
The 49-year-old has been president of badminton’s international federation since May 2013.
*****
FINE COMPANY: BWF President Poul-Erik Høyer (right) and fellow Danish legend, Erland Kops, have both been knighted for their badminton accomplishments.
Text by Gayle Alleyne | BWF
BWF Newsletter
