Our Olympic dame

CYCLING legend Dame Laura Kenny has announced her retirement from the sport after a glittering career on the track.

- Chris Riches

The 31-year-old has won five Olympic golds and seven World Championship titles and fans hoped she would compete at this summer's Paris Games.

But yesterday Dame Laura told BBC Breakfast: "I always knew deep down I would know when was the right time. I have had an absolute blast but now is the time for me to hang that bike up."

Dame Laura the most successful British female Olympian - gave birth to her first son, Albie, in 2017. She returned to cycling, eager to prove athletes could juggle the demands of sport with motherhood.

After a miscarriage in late 2021 and an ectopic pregnancy just months later, Dame Laura and fellow cycle superstar Sir Jason, 35 Britain's most decorated Olympian welcomed their second son, Monty, in 2023.

But she said spending time at home was proving more and more alluring to her.