A BRIDGE of Weir man who helped to uncover the doping scandal in Russian sport has been honoured for a third time by the Queen.

Sir Craig Reedie, 77, was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for his services to sport during his time as president of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The honour is the highest of its kind and is  awarded on only a few occasions each year.

Since its foundation in 1999 following an infamous doping scandal at the Tour de France, the agency has fought tirelessly to clean up sport and prevent the use of performance enhancing drugs. 

Speaking to The Gazette, Sir Craig, who was knighted in 2006 and was previously made a CBE, said: “It really is a combination of surprising and humbling to receive the highest honour in the Queen’s birthday list.

“It is especially important to me the award was achieved for services to sport. There is a brilliant team behind all of the work done by WADA and they also deserve the recognition.”

The agency came to the public’s attention following the state-sponsored Russian doping scandal in 2014, which subsequently saw the International Olympic Committee suspend the Russian Olympic Committee.

Although their handling of the case drew some criticism, the former chairman of the British Olympic Association insists the troubles are part of the fight to end cheating in sport.

Sir Craig, who is still the agency’s president, added: “Obviously, we have had our struggles the fight for clean sport is worth it.

“The public want to know the sport they are watching is clean, and we have fought to make that the case.”

Despite the growing suspicion over the use of banned substances at the highest level of many sports, Sir Craig admits it’s his love of sport and the support of his wife that have kept his enthusiasm going for so long.

“The friendships from it are truly lifelong,” he added, “and that’s why we must fight to keep it clean.”