Dame Laura Kenny, Team GB’s most successful female Olympian, has retired from track cycling.
The 31-year-old leaves the Olympic stage with five gold medals and a silver and as one of the nation’s most popular athletes.
Writing on social media to announce her immediate retirement, Kenny said: “Thank you cycling for everything you’ve given me - including a husband and our growing family!.
“Having people say I have inspired women and girls to get active and get on a bike means the world to me.
"Thanks to Team GB, British Cycling and all the partners who have supported my journey. A special thanks to every team mate I have had over the years and of course to my family for being the best support unit I could ever have wished for. It’s now time for the next chapter.”
Expanding on her decision to retire in an interview with BBC Breakfast, Kenny said: “I always knew deep down I would know when was the right time. I have had an absolute blast but now is the time to hang up the bike.
“It’s been in my head for a little while, the sacrifices of leaving the children and your family at home is really quite big and it is a really big decision to make. More and more, I was struggling to do that. More people asking me what races I was doing, what training camps was I going on, I didn’t want to go ultimately and that’s what it came down to.”
Laura Kenny’s Olympic story: London 2012
Then 20, Kenny captured the hearts of the nation with double gold at her home Games.
She combined with Dani King and Joanna Rowsell to win the team pursuit in a world record time and two days later, captured gold in the omnium, a test of the best all-around rider at the Games.
“I never thought I would go to a home games, let alone go on to win two gold medals,” she said. “When I look back, I’m like ‘wow, those two weeks did really change my life’.”
Laura Kenny’s Olympic story: Rio 2016
Coming into the Games as favourite, Kenny delivered an incredible performance to earn the title of Britain’s most successful female Olympian.
She defended both her omnium and team pursuit titles, the latter again in world record time, alongside Rowsell Shand, Katie Archibald and Elinor Barker.
Laura and fiancé Jason Kenny won five gold medals between them in Rio to reach a total of ten as a couple, marrying just after the Games.
Laura Kenny’s Olympic story: Tokyo 2020
Kenny gave birth to son Albie in August 2017 and blazed a trail to a third Games.
Aged 29, she romped to gold in the first-ever Olympic women’s Madison alongside Katie Archibald and took silver in the team pursuit with Archibald, Barker, Neah Evans and Josie Knight.
Kenny’s last acts at the Games saw her become the most successful female cyclist in Olympic history.
What is next for Laura Kenny?
In her BBC interview, Kenny outlined her intent to remain involved in the sport of cycling in some capacity.
She said: “There's nothing set in stone but there are things I'm so interested in doing.
“Something to help the younger generation, whether that could be some kind of academy.
“I could never be a coach because that's just too much pressure for me, but maybe something in the background that would help the youngsters have the opportunities I had.”
British Olympic Association Reaction:
British Olympic Association Chairman, Sir Hugh Robertson said: “Dame Laura Kenny has been our greatest ever female Olympian and a huge part of cycling and Team GB's success at London, Rio and Tokyo. However, as well as being an outstanding athlete, she has also been a wonderful personality. We will all miss her enormously and wish her, and her family, all the very best for the future.”
BOA CEO, Andy Anson said: “What Laura has achieved over her career is nothing short of extraordinary. Her talent, dedication, resilience and brilliant personality will have inspired many and I have no doubt will continue to do so over years to come. She is a true legend of British Olympic sport.”
Team GB's Chef de Mission for Paris 2024, Mark England said: "Laura encapsulates the many values of Team GB and it has been a personal pleasure to watch her compete for Team GB over the past decade. Laura was a history maker from the moment she took to the track in London back in 2012, right through to Tokyo where she became our most decorated female Olympian and the first British woman to win gold medals in three consecutive Olympics.
"Laura was a source of inspiration to her Team GB teammates, and I am sure she will continue to be so as she navigates the next chapter in her life."
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