The 35-year-old from Manchester, who was born without a functioning left hand, proved one of the stars of the London 2012 Paralympic Games as she raced to four gold medals in the individual pursuit C5, 500 metres time trial C5, road time trial C5 and road race C5.

The London 2012 performance came after she won two Paralympic cycling gold medals at Beijing 2008 and 16 Paralympic medals in her former sport of swimming, five of which were gold, to make her Britain's most decorated female Paralympian as she surpassed Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson.

Following her performance at the Paralympics, Storey became the only British female athlete that competed at London 2012 to be made a Dame in the Queen's New Year's Honours list.

It was an honour that came just after she announced that she was pregnant with her first child and although she says she wants a "quick return" to cycling as she bids for more Paralympic glory as Rio 2016, she says having a child will surpass all her sporting achievements.

"Having a baby will be my greatest achievement ever," she said.

"You can't compare it to anything.

"I am incredibly proud of everything I've done.

"I am so chuffed and honoured to be made a Dame but having a baby will be the icing on top of a very amazing cake."


Storey has also admitted that she found it difficult to keep it a secret that she had been made a Dame in the New Year's Honours list when she first found out the news.

"My envelope from the Palace arrived when I was at training camp in Lanzarote a month ago," she said.

"I had to keep re-reading it to check I was reading it correctly.

"I didn't know if I was seeing things right, I never expected to be a Dame.

"From when the letter arrived everything is strictly under embargo.

"It has actually been very difficult to keep the secret because people have been talking as if it'd already happened which was uncomfortable.

"The day of the investiture at Buckingham Palace will be very special, hopefully the whole family can be in London.

"I'll get some guest places for the Palace and everybody else can watch through the railings.

"I will have a really lovely meal and a glass of water to celebrate because I'm pregnant so I can't have a wild one!"

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