Dame Tanni, who is Britain's best known athletes having won a total of 16 Paralympic medals, 11 of them gold, will be one of four new non-party-political peers recommended to the Prime Minister by the Commission.

She will now be known Baroness Grey Thompson.

The others include Royal Opera House chief executive Tony Hall, who is also the chairman of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Board.

Grey Thompson said she would be speaking mostly about sport, but with a political background, having studied politics at Loughborough University, she may also be involved in other issues that are important to her.

She said: "It’s been a lengthy process, with lots of interviews and things but I am very excited.

"In my interview they asked me if I thought I would be nervous speaking in the House of Lords but I thought I’ve done lots of corporate events, so I would be quite used to it.

"I’ve always been involved with sports administration and studied politics as an undergraduate.

"I always said I’d never get into politics but then you get into sport and you realise how much politics is involved.

"I retired three years ago and I’ve spent the last three years wondering what I’d like to do next.

"One of the nice things about sport is you get to try a variety of different things.

"I’m interested in disability in sport and the rights of disabled people, but also, I am a working mum and I’m interested in all sorts of things like sport and health."

Since retiring in 2007, Grey Thompson has forged a reputation as one of the country's leading sports administrators and her roles currently include being a non-executive director of UK Athletics, sitting on the board of the London Marathon and advising Transport for London on preparations for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

She is also vice-chairman of the Laureus World Sport Academy and a trustee of the Sport for Good Foundation.

Grey Thompson, who born with spina bifida, was made a Dame of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005, following being made an MBE 1993 and OBE in 1999.

Congratulations for the promotion were led by Paralympics GB chief executive Phil Lane.

He said: "There are many people who are regarded as inspirational but Tanni epitomises that and actually puts it into practice.

"It is one thing to be called inspirational but her real strength is that she does go out and make a difference."

Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics, also welcomed the appointment.

He said: "I would like to pass on my warmest congratulations to Baroness Grey Thompson.

"This is an honour that reflects not only her unrivalled success on the track, but also her commitment to athletics and the Paralympic movement since retiring.

"Tanni's passion and dedication to her sport is obvious to all who meet her and her insight as a former athlete is hugely valuable to the UKA Board."

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