Laura Kenny: who is Team GB cyclist, how many Olympic medals has she won - and when is she competing in Tokyo?

Laura Kenny, nee Trott, is married to fellow British cycling team member Jason
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With Track Cycling set to begin at the Tokyo Olympics, one GB athlete is looking to carve her name into the history books.

Laura Kenny, nee Trott, is gunning to become Team GB’s most decorated female Olympian as she competes in three events at Tokyo 2020: the Omnium, the Madison and the Team Pursuit.

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With four gold medals from the London and Rio games, Kenny needs three more to surpass the tally of six medals won by dressage rider (equestrian) Charlotte Dujardin.

Laura Kenny struck gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 - and she will be going for gold again in Tokyo. (Pic: Getty)Laura Kenny struck gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 - and she will be going for gold again in Tokyo. (Pic: Getty)
Laura Kenny struck gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016 - and she will be going for gold again in Tokyo. (Pic: Getty)
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How many Olympic medals has Laura Kenny won?

At 29 years of age it’s fair to say that Laura Kenny has had an exceptionally successful career.

In addition to her four Olympic golds Kenny has gathered seven World Championship titles, 14 European Championship titles and one Commonwealth Games title on the track. The majority of these titles came in the Omnium, Scratch Race and the Team Pursuit.

Laura Kenny factfile. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)Laura Kenny factfile. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)
Laura Kenny factfile. (Graphic: Mark Hall / JPIMedia)

As a road cyclist she has also won the British National Championships and the Tour of Britain.

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Off the bike, Laura married husband and fellow Olympic track cycling multiple gold medallist Jason Kenny. Their son was born in 2017.

Who is Laura Kenny?

Laura Kenny was born one month early and suffered a collapsed lung during her infancy.

Laura and Jason Kenny pictured with their Olympic gold medals prior to Tokyo 2020. (Pic: Getty)Laura and Jason Kenny pictured with their Olympic gold medals prior to Tokyo 2020. (Pic: Getty)
Laura and Jason Kenny pictured with their Olympic gold medals prior to Tokyo 2020. (Pic: Getty)

After recovering from these afflictions Kenny was diagnosed with asthma during her childhood and was recommended by a doctor to get involved with sport to aid her breathing.

Initially Kenny participated in swimming and trampolining but stopped because she still suffered breathing difficulties.

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It was only after Kenny’s mother Glenda began cycling to shed weight that she got involved. The family bike rides that she enjoyed during her childhood were the reason she entered the sport.

These bike rides certainly seemed to have a big influence as both Laura and her sister Emma would eventually become professional cyclists.

What is Laura Kenny’s legacy?

Laura Kenny has received widespread recognition for her achievements within cycling.

During a ceremony at Buckingham Palace both Laura and husband Jason received CBE awards from Princess Anne. In addition to this the University of Essex awarded the cycling superstar an honorary degree for her services to the sport.

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Within Kenny’s home town of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire a newly refurbished sports facility was named in her honour. The Laura Trott Leisure Centre contains a swimming pool, sauna and gym as well as outdoor pitches.

When is Laura Kenny competing at the Tokyo Olympics?

In Japan, Laura Kenny will spring into action for her first event, the Team Pursuit Qualifying next Monday (2 August).

Depending on the team’s performance Kenny will be back in action for the Team Pursuit First Round and Final next Tuesday (3 August).

After this Kenny will begin her second event the Madison next Friday (6 August) and then will compete in her final event the Omnium next Sunday (8 August).

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In order to surpass Charlotte Dujardin’s tally and become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian Kenny will have to put in an exceptional performance and win medals in all three events.

However given her past performances at the games, don’t count Laura Kenny out.

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