A SWIMMING teacher has been recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list for her involvement in the Olympic Games.
Dawn Bracken has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) after volunteering to be involved in the Games as soon as London was announced as the host city back in 2005.
It was for her role as a Games Maker that the mother-of-two, and wife of former Lib Dem candidate Martin Bracken, got one of only two honours awarded in the city this year.
"I feel really honoured," she said.
"I was determined to have a go at everything that was thrown at me and memorable incidents include accompanying Seb Coe on a day in Eastern England visiting Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Braintree BMX track.
"In addition to that, as I was involved in Olympic Torch preparations, I was allowed to accompany it on the leg from Colchester to Chelmsford."
Dawn was also chosen as a Games Maker medal minder.
As a swimming teacher Dawn worked in the aquatics centre and had the job of leading US swimming superstar Michael Phelps away from the pool after he won gold in the 4 x 200m relay final.
