After leaving her native Russia and settling in London, Hart started a charity basketball club that eventually became one of "the most successful and caring basket clubs" in Britain, according to a statement on the NSSA website.
"I'm bursting with pride. This is beyond anything I could ever have imagined. I was truly shocked when I opened the letter to tell me about the honor. I am so grateful," Hart said, according to the statement.
By engaging the youth in sports, Hart wants them to grow up to become fair, honest and responsible citizens. Hart's charity club organizes weekly trainings for thousands of teenagers that explain to participants the dangers of gang-related activity in the streets of London.
Hart is also known for being the Olympic torch bearer for the 2012 London Games and the Paralympic Torch bearer for the 2014 Sochi Winter Games.
