Laura Kenny: Britain’s most successful female Olympian retires from cycling.

 

Dame Laura Kenny has officially retired from cycling, marking the end of a remarkable career that saw her clinch five Olympic gold medals and secure seven World Championship titles.

At 31 years old, Laura, who welcomed her second child in July, had been striving to qualify for her fourth Olympic Games, set to take place in Paris.

Earlier this month, British Cycling head Stephen Park had expressed doubts about Laura Kenny’s chances of qualifying for the Games due to insufficient qualifying points.

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With only one potential qualification event left, Kenny announced this morning that she was retiring from a career that established her as the most decorated British female in Olympic history.

Despite being a three-time world champion in the track, Kenny gained notoriety in London in 2012 as she triumphed in both the omnium and team pursuit at her home games.
When she was seen partying at the Games with another cyclist and then lover Jason Kenny—who is now her husband—she attracted even more attention from the public.

Four years later in Rio, she successfully defended both championships. She went on to win gold and silver at the postponed Olympics in Tokyo.

Before getting back into the game in 2017, Kenny gave birth to her first son, Albie. She experienced an ectopic pregnancy prior to giving birth to her second son, Monty, last year, and a miscarriage in 2021.

“I always knew deep down that I would know when was the right time,” she said on BBC Breakfast. I’ve had an incredible experience, but it’s time to put the bike away.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a little while now; leaving your family and children behind is a fairly large decision that comes with a lot of sacrifices.

I was finding it increasingly difficult to do that. It came down to the fact that I didn’t want to go, despite more people asking me what races and training camps I was attending.

“The moment I started experiencing those emotions, I knew.” I started to feel relieved after I told Jase, and her husband Kenny, “I don’t think I want to ride a bike anymore.”

Laura Kenny

After Kenny’s retirement, Mark Cavendish, a former teammate in British Cycling, was one among the people who paid respect to her. On social media, he posted, “Absolute legend, mate.”

There aren’t even enough words to express how proud I am of everything you’ve accomplished. It’s always been so amazing how you manage and develop a team. I appreciate all that you have done for British athletics.

Jessica Ennis-Hill wrote: “Laura, what an incredible career you have had. I remember when you came back from childbirth to be at the top of your sport.” You are and always will be such a legend—you never stop inspiring me! Enjoy the upcoming chapter.

“Laura hangs up her wheels as not just one of the sport’s greatest riders, but as one of the greatest sporting talents our country has ever produced,” said Park in a statement released by British Cycling.

But maybe even more remarkable is the influence Laura had on the future generation of Olympic aspirants as well as her teammates on the GB cycling squad.

“I know that the whole British cycling community will join me in wishing her the very best in the next chapter of her life. She has been a beacon of inspiration for so many — young and old.”

She has served as so many people’s source of inspiration.

Although her husband is a seven-time Olympic winner, Kenny stated she did not intend to become a coach for British Cycling. Nevertheless, she did intend to continue riding after retirement.

“There are things I’m really interested in doing, but nothing is set in stone,” she remarked.

“Anything to support the next generation—perhaps an academy of some kind.

“Being a coach would be too much pressure for me, so I could never be one, but maybe there could be something in the background that would help the kids have the opportunities I had.”

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