Laura Kenny

Biography

Laura Kenny is one of the UK's most recognised sportswomen and Britain’s greatest ever female Olympian. Respected and admired by fans and teamates as much for her outgoing personality as for her domination in the velodrome, in winning her fifth Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Laura became the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympics.

Born with a collapsed lung and asthma, a young Laura was advised to get involved in sport to help her breathing problems. She and her older sister (who became a road cyclist) took up cycling with their mother, and soon Laura was competing at junior level on the track. After picking up junior national titles, the teenage Laura joined the senior team, at the time one of the most successful cycling teams in the world. Within two years she was a fixture in the squad and competing at the London Olympics.

In her autobiography The Inside Track, Laura, along with her husband and fellow cycling champion Jason, give their insights and experience of what it takes to become a world-beater. Laura has been awarded Harper's Bazaar's Sporting Icons award alongside Dame Sarah Storey, and with her teammate Katie Archibald was named Sky Sports Team of the Year, and The Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year.

Laura has now moved into broadcasting, commentating on world championship cycling, and was a guest editor on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. She has also taken on a leadership role in sports adminstration as President of Commonwealth Games England.