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

Dame Laura Kenny, Britain's most successful female Olympian, has announced her retirement from competitive cycling.

The 31-year-old has won five Olympic gold medals and seven world championship titles during an illustrious career in track and field.

She gave birth to her second child in July and was aiming to compete in her fourth Olympics in Paris this year.

“Deep down I knew when the right time would come,” Kenny said in an exclusive interview with BBC Breakfast.

“It's been really fun, but now it's time to hang up that bike.”

Kenny, who is married to Sir Jason Kenny, a former competitive cyclist and most decorated British Olympian, said: “It's been on my mind for a while now that I want to move my children and family home.'' The sacrifice of leaving it behind is huge and truly devastating,” he added. making big decisions.

“More and more, I was having trouble making it happen. More and more people were asking me what races I was doing, what training camps I was in. I ended up not wanting to go. But that's what happened in the end.”

“I knew the moment I started feeling those feelings. I said to Jace, 'I don't want to ride my bike anymore,' and I started to feel better.”

Kenny gave birth to her first son, Albie, in 2017 and then returned to competitive cycling, eager to prove that athletes can combine the demands of the sport with motherhood.

In early March, British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said there was only a “slim” chance of Kenny competing in Paris.

“There was some hesitation,” Kenney said.

“I would love to win another gold medal, but it just didn’t give me the energy I wanted anymore, it just wasn’t there.

“I wasn't thinking, 'I really want to keep winning.' I was thinking, 'I want to be home with my kids.'”

Kenny said traveling with Albie to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which was postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, was extremely stressful.

“It was just a bloodbath to take Albie around the world, travel the world with him and qualify for the Tokyo Olympics,” she told BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour.

“I think Jason and I had this really beautiful, easy way to draw, and a way to draw that everyone wants. You can have a baby, you can come back, and you can keep winning gold medals. .And it looks easy, but let me tell you, it wasn't easy at all, it was pure carnage.

“And there were so many sacrifices along the way, so many flights that had to be booked here, there, everywhere. It was expensive.

“Yes, it worked. But it didn't come without some serious heartbreak and sacrifice.”

Kenny, who was already a three-time world champion by then, shot to the public's attention when she won gold medals in the women's omnium and team pursuit at the 2012 London Olympics.

Kenny said it was the “absolute highlight” of her career, and the 2012 Olympics were a life-changing two weeks, during which her relationship with Jason also became public.

“I never thought I would be able to play in a home game, let alone win two gold medals.

“I look back and think, 'Wow, those two weeks really changed my life.'”

She repeated the omnium and team pursuit double at the Rio Games four years later, becoming the first British woman to win four Olympic titles.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Kenny won a silver medal in the team pursuit event and became the first Olympic champions, along with Katie Archibald, in the women's Madison event, a new event for that year's Olympics.

This made Kenny the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympic Games, and the most successful female cyclist in Olympic history.

A fourth Olympics in 2024 was her plan, but Kenny had not yet returned to team training before announcing her retirement. The Truck Nations Cup in Canada in April was supposed to be the last chance to earn the points needed to qualify.

She won her last world champion rainbow jersey in omnium and scratch racing at the London track where she made her name in 2016.

Kenny is also a 14-time European champion and won three Commonwealth Games medals, including two golds.

Andy Anson, chief executive of the British Olympic Association, said what Kenny had achieved was “nothing short of extraordinary”.

He added: “Her talent, dedication, resilience and brilliant personality will be an inspiration to many and will no doubt continue to have an impact for many years to come.”

“She is a true legend of British Olympic sport.”

Kenny, who was named Dame in the 2021 New Year's Honors, said he was “willing to do anything” in the next chapter of his life.

Regarding this summer's Olympics, Kenney said he would like to participate in them “in some way.”

In early March, before news of Kenny's retirement broke, Park said he believed she would have “continued involvement” with the British Cycling team “for many years to come”.

“Nothing is set in stone, but there are some things I would like to do,” Kenny said.

“Maybe something to help the younger generation, something like an academy.

“I couldn't become a coach because it would be too much pressure, but maybe there's something behind it that could give young players the opportunity I had.”

Kenny's former teammates and other stars of the sport sent messages of congratulations via Instagram, with many calling her a “legend” in the world of cycling.

Joanna Rowsell, who won team pursuit gold with Kenny in 2012 and 2016, congratulated her on an “amazing career” and said: “But most importantly, we want to make sure there's never a dull moment on the journey. Thank you for that,” he added.

Dani Lowe, who was also part of London's Team Pursuit Quartet, wrote a lengthy tribute to their friendship, highlighting the fact that Kenny inspired her to be “the best version of herself that I could be”. .

“But most of all, thank you for being you. You haven't changed one bit, even after all this success. I'm so proud of you, even on the bike. Even when I’m not.”

Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome called Kenny's career “spectacular”, while 2012 Olympic heptathlon gold medalist Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill said: “You truly are a legend and always will be. He has and will continue to be an inspiration.”

Road cyclist Mark Cavendish echoed Ennis-Hill's words, writing: “The way he led and developed groups of people was always so impressive.”

The 38-year-old, who is aiming to break his Tour de France stage win record later this year, added: “Thank you for everything you have done for British sport.”