Laura Kenny: Britain's most decorated female Olympian retires from cycling ahead of Paris 2024 Games
Laura Kenny, the female Olympian from Britain who has the most awards, has declared that she will no longer be cycling just four months before the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In her impressive career, Kenny achieved five Olympic gold medals and seven world titles. She is also married to Jason Kenny, a former cyclist who holds the title of the most successful British Olympian.
Last July, the lady who is 31 years old welcomed another baby girl into her family. As a result, she will not be participating in this year's Olympics in Paris, which will kick off on the 26th of July.
Kenny expressed gratitude to cycling for all that it has brought into their lives, including a spouse and an expanding family, through a post on Instagram.
It means everything to me when people tell me that I've motivated women and girls to become more physically active and take up cycling. I am grateful to Team GB, British Cycling, and all the supporters who have helped me along the way.
I would like to express my gratitude to all of my fellow colleagues who have worked with me throughout the years. Additionally, I would like to thank my family for being such a fantastic support system. Although it's time for me to embark on a new journey, I hope you will continue to follow along with me for the next chapter.
During her appearance on BBC Breakfast, she mentioned that she had been considering this for some time. She stated that leaving her children and family behind would require a significant amount of sacrifice, and that it would be a difficult decision to make.
I found myself increasingly finding it difficult to keep up with those demands. People were asking about my upcoming races and training sessions, but I was not keen to participate anymore. Eventually, I realized that was the root of the problem.
As soon as I began to experience those emotions, I was aware of it. After expressing to Jase that I was no longer interested in cycling, a sense of comfort washed over me.
Kenny emerged victorious in the women's omnium and team pursuit categories at both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics. However, in 2017, she put her career on hold to deliver her child. Kenny now holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals won by a British woman, with a total of four. Meanwhile, the dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin is next on the list, having won three golds.
Last year, Kenny showed her top-level skills and triumphed in multiple competitions throughout the Track Cycling World Cup. Moreover, in the postponed 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she clinched the silver medal in the women's team pursuit event.
During the Madison competition, she collaborated with Katie Archibald to secure an impressive gold medal. This achievement marked her as the primary British woman to ever gather gold medals in three consecutive Olympic events.
Kenny expressed surprise at attending a Games hosted in his home country and further added that he did not anticipate achieving victory in two events.
"When I reflect on the past, I am amazed by how much those fortnight altered my life."
In November 2021, after the Olympics, Kenny suffered a miscarriage at nine weeks. Then, in January 2022, she had an operation because of an ectopic pregnancy.
She earned the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the New Year Honours of 2022 for her outstanding contributions towards cycling. Later on in that summer, she won her second gold medal in the scratch race at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which proved to be her final major achievement.
The athlete who has won the European championship 14 times was planning to participate in her fourth Olympics this year. However, she had not resumed her training for the British team in 2021. Her last chance to qualify for the Paris Olympics would have been in the Track Nations Cup in Canada, which was scheduled for April.
Kenny expressed her eagerness for new ventures after she retires by saying that she has some things she would really like to do. However, there are no definite plans as of yet.
There could be a program designed to assist the upcoming generation, maybe in the form of an educational establishment.
Becoming a coach is not for me because I cannot handle the immense stress that comes with it. Nonetheless, I could consider a role that supports younger people such that they can also have access to the same opportunities that I had.
To Fallen Riders
Laura and Jason Kenny haven't been very vocal outside of cycling, but they will definitely be remembered as some of the best athletes Britain has ever seen.
Jason decided to retire after the Tokyo Olympics, and eventually, two years after, Laura followed suit by making the same decision and ending her athletic career.
Stephen Park, who's responsible for managing Great Britain's cycling performance, supervised the concluding phase of Kenny's profession, including her resurgence post-delivering her initial offspring.
Park stated that Laura is not only among the most exceptional riders in sports but also one of the most outstanding athletic talents bred by our nation as she decides to retire from her cycling career.
Everyone who has been fortunate enough to witness Laura compete can attest to her unmatched blend of skill and perseverance, which drove her to become the most accomplished female Olympian in Britain and the initial British woman to win gold medals in three successive Olympic Games.
Laura's remarkable influence extends beyond her impressive achievements in cycling. She has also been a source of motivation and encouragement for her teammates on the Great Britain Cycling Team and aspiring Olympians. Her inspiration has reached people of all ages, and I'm confident that the entire British cycling community joins me in wishing her all the best for her future endeavors.
"We take great pride in the achievements of our team member who has come a long way from Welwyn Wheelers to reach the pinnacle of the sport. We believe that she will remain a staunch supporter of our team for years to come."
