Olympic hero Sophie Hosking will not be returning to the international rowing scene any time this year.

The 26-year-old former Kingston Grammar School student won gold at London 2012 in the women’s lightweight doubles sculls, and the AFC Wimbledon fan was also awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

The London Rowing Club star is not certain she will bid to defend her title at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics  and is set to take a 12-month break from the international scene.

She has not ruled out a return to the top level in 2014, but is keeping her options open.

“I am not going to be returning to international rowing this year, I want to consider my long-term career options,” she said.

“But after this year, I don’t know really. It just depends what happens. I want to consider other things before making a decision.”

When the four-time World Championship medallist takes the trip to Buckingham Palace to collect her MBE, she will follow in the footsteps of her father, David Hosking MBE, who was honoured in 1992 for his services with the Royal Navy during the Iraq War.

Hosking said: “I remember going to the Palace with Dad when he collected his award and so for me to be doing the same thing is amazing.

“I am incredibly proud, for me and my family. There are some illustrious names to have been recognised in this way, so to be in that company is very humbling.

“You don’t realise how significant this is until you receive it.”