Laura Kenny

Born in Harlow, Laura Kenny began cycling when her mother decided to take up the sport to lose weight and went on to be the first female athlete in history to win five Olympic gold medals for Team GB as well as the first British women to win gold at three consecutive Olympic Games. Kenny is now the most decorated female athlete in Team GB history, a title she shares with equestrian's Charlotte Dujardin.

The Essex cyclist’s first Olympic Games, London 2012, saw her win gold in the omnium and team pursuit with partners Joanna Rowsell Shand and Dani Rowe. Kenny has also had success outside of the Olympics, winning world gold in the team pursuit in four consecutive years between 2011 and 2014, as well as gold in the omnium in 2012 in Melbourne.At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she earned two more golds, defending her team pursuit and omnium crowns, before marrying fellow track cyclist Jason Kenny.

Kenny's special place in the hearts of the nation was reinforced at the 2018 European Championships. Revealing she spent several sleepless nights in Glasgow looking after baby son Albert, the track phenomenon still managed to secure double gold in the team pursuit and elimination race.The first British woman to win five Olympic titles, Kenny has surpassed Dutchwoman Leontien Zijlaard-Van Moorsel to become the most successful female cyclist in Olympic history. Kenny was part of the team pursuit team - alongside Katie Archibald, Neah Evans, Josie Knight and Elinor Barker - who won silver at Tokyo 2020. She also took gold with Katie Archibald in the women’s madison event.