City honours Olympic cyclist Hoy

Sir Chris Hoy is the third person to receive the Edinburgh Award

Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy has been honoured by his home city.

Sir Chris, 33, was chosen to receive the Edinburgh Award, following in the footsteps of Harry Potter author JK Rowling and crime writer Ian Rankin.

The award was set up in 2007 to recognise outstanding achievements and contribution to the city.

A judging panel, chaired by Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb, unanimously voted Sir Chris the 2009 winner.

He received the award at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Tuesday morning.

Sir Chris will also have his handprints immortalised in Caithness stone in the City Chambers quadrangle.

As the third-ever winner, following Ian Rankin and JK Rowling, he is joining a very prestigious club indeed George Grubb Edinburgh's Lord Provost

The cyclist, who now lives in Greater Manchester, said he was delighted and "deeply honoured" to be recognised by his home city.

"I was born and brought up in Edinburgh and the support I received in all areas of my life there - at school and university and with my cycling career - is an integral part of my success," he said.

"The City of Edinburgh Racing Club was the best amateur track cycling club in the UK, and joining it was the first step towards where I am today.

"I'm very proud to be from Edinburgh and I hope to move back there one day."

Sir Chris took first place in the team sprint, men's sprint and the Keirin in China last year, making him the first Briton to win three golds at one Olympics in 100 years.

The Scot already had an Olympic gold, which he won in the 1km time trial in Athens 2004.

Born and raised in Edinburgh, his parents Carol and David bought him his first bike after he saw cycling stunts in the film ET.

'Outstanding ambassador'

He was a BMX racer until he was 14 years old, becoming Scottish champion and ranking second in Britain and ninth in the world.

As a senior, he turned his attention to track sprint cycling and in 1992 he joined his first cycling club in Dunedin.

Two years later he joined the City of Edinburgh Racing Club, and since 1996 he has been a member of the Great Britain national squad.

The lord provost described Sir Chris as an "outstanding ambassador" for Edinburgh.

"Following his incredible achievements in Beijing last summer, he now enjoys the kudos of being the greatest Olympian this city has ever produced," he said.

"He is an inspirational role model for our city's young people, proving that hard work, dedication and sheer determination can help turn natural talent into world-beating success.

"As the third-ever winner, following Ian Rankin and JK Rowling, he is joining a very prestigious club indeed."