Sir Jason Kenny: Britain's greatest ever Olympian retires from the saddle
The rider won seven golds over four games, taking his first in Beijing in 2008 and his final one in Tokyo last year.
Thursday 24 February 2022 00:39, UK
Britain's most successful ever Olympian, Sir Jason Kenny is to retire.
The cyclist won seven Olympic gold medals over four Games.
He is to take up a role with the Great Britain Cycling Team as a sprint coach.
An outstanding junior, Sir Jason won his first Olympic gold medal at Beijing in 2008 in the team sprint. He also took silver in the individual sprint, losing out in the final to Sir Chris Hoy.
Four years later at the London Games he won both titles and in Rio in 2016 he won the team sprint, individual sprint and keirin titles.
His seventh and final Olympic gold came in the delayed Tokyo Games last year, where he again won the men's keirin.
Paying tribute, British Cycling Performance Director, Stephen Park CBE, said: "In many ways Jason's final race, the Tokyo keirin, was the perfect embodiment of all that has made him such a joy to watch.
"Of the millions watching worldwide I don't think any could have foreseen the guile and explosive power which saw him blaze to victory, and I can think of no better way to call time on such a wonderful career.
"It goes without saying that Jason has made a magnificent contribution to our team, and I'm thrilled that we've been able to hold on to all of that knowledge and experience as he embarks on his career as a coach."
Sir Jason's former team-mate and six-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy, said: "I was really excited to hear that Jason has been appointed as the men's sprint coach.
"He was a fantastic team-mate and an extraordinary athlete, and I'm looking forward to seeing him translate his experiences over four Olympic Games into supporting the next generation of talented British riders to achieve their best."