Britain’s most decorated cyclist, Laura Kenny, announces retirement
The five-time gold medallist has announced her retirement from cycling. The announcement comes just four months before Paris 2024. “She said: “It’s the right time. At 31, the British athlete opts out of this summer’s Olympic event.
Dame Laura Kenny is retiring from cycling. The announcement was made on Monday 18 March by the British cyclist. “I’ve enjoyed it immensely, but it’s time to hang up the bike,” she told the BBC. Olympic.com reports. The most decorated cyclist in Olympic history said: “It’s the right time” to retire. And she is doing so four months before Paris 2024.
Speaking to the BBC, she admits: “The time has come. “It’s been on my mind for a while. The sacrifices of leaving the kids and the family at home are really big and it’s a really important decision to make.” Married to former cyclist Sir Jason Kenny, the couple have two children together. Their second child was born in 2023.
“I knew I was having those feelings at that moment, so when I told Jase, ‘I don’t think I want to ride a bike anymore’, it was a relief,” she added. As well as her five medals, she also has seven world titles to her name. At the age of 31, the British cyclist is retiring and thanking the sport for everything she has experienced and enjoyed.
She did so via her Instagram network: “Thanks to cycling for everything you’ve given me, including a husband and our growing family!” “To be told that I’ve inspired women and girls to be active and ride a bike means the world to me. Thanks to Team GB, British Cycling and all the partners who have been part of my journey.”
“A special thanks to all the teammates I’ve had over the years and of course my family who have been the best support I could have asked for. Now it’s time to move on, but I’m looking forward to the next chapter. Her journey to podiums and top-level triumphs began in London.
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. pic.twitter.com/nddT7pF3c1
— Dame Laura Kenny (@LauraKenny31) March 18, 2024
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.
— Dame Laura Kenny (@LauraKenny31) March 18, 2024
There, in London 2012. There she won gold in the omnium and the team pursuit. At Rio 2016, she made history. She became the first woman to win four gold medals. At the next Games, Tokyo 2020, she teamed up with Katie Archibald to win the women’s Madison, a new event at the Games. Also in Tokyo, she won a silver medal in the team pursuit.
She has won fourteen European titles to add to her seven World titles. She also has three Commonwealth Games medals to her name. Two of them are gold. Laura Kenny wanted to be part of Paris 2024. But surprisingly, her emotions and personal wishes won out. She leaves behind a legend – one who will be hard to replace. She is also the most decorated female athlete in the history of British sport.