Tokyo 2020 - 'Just a nightmare!' – Laura Kenny rues bad luck after crash wrecks omnium medal chances

ByJack Bantock

Updated 08/08/2021 at 07:08 GMT

She couldn't defend her omnium title, but Kenny leaves Tokyo with a gold and silver medal from the madison and team pursuit. Her misfortune was offset by the stunning victory of husband Jason, who crushed the keirin final to win his seventh gold and become the most decorated British Olympian in history. You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+.

Laura Kenny was left to marvel at her own ill fortunes as a huge crash during the opening race of the omnium hampered her defence of the title and a third Tokyo medal.

The 29-year-old was able to continue but her hopes of a sixth Olympic gold were tarnished beyond repair in the elimination race, where an early exit left her needing a miracle to make the podium.

Despite recovering to finish sixth overall, Kenny’s reign as omnium champion was ended by Jennifer Valente of the United States. , who took gold ahead of Japan's Yumi Kajihara and the Netherland's Kirsten Wild.

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‘Absolutely remarkable’ – Jason Kenny storms to historic keirin gold

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24/02/2022 at 08:59

“Just a nightmare”, Kenny told Eurosport ahead of Valente’s crowning in the medal ceremony.

• Kenny becomes GB's most decorated Olympian

“Honestly when I went down I thought, ‘that is it, there is not a chance I am getting this back’.

‘Absolutely remarkable’ – Kenny collects seventh Olympic gold

“You just can’t make it up, I thought coming into this, I’ve had my bad luck surely and then low and behold I get taken down again.”

The most successful female athlete in British history, Kenny returns home with a gold alongside Katie Archibald in the madison and a silver in the team pursuit.

Her madison victory made her the first woman in British history to win gold at three different Games, adding another accolade to a glittering career CV.

‘Massive mistake! What on earth!?’ – Laura Kenny's omnium hopes hit by ‘elementary’ error

Few Brits can match her accomplishments, though her spouse can.

Laura watched on as husband Jason stunned the field in the keirin final to clinch a seventh Olympic gold medal, making him the most decorated British Olympian of all time.

His incredible victory moved him ahead of Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins on golds and total medals respectively.

• USA's Mitchell wins gold in women's sprint track
• Wiggins marvels at stunning Kenny performance

Asked for her reaction to her husband’s triumph, Kenny laughed: “Honestly last night he goes to me, ‘you know if you win the omnium we can make a clock out of gold medals'.

“He only goes and does it doesn’t he.”

‘Oh my goodness!’ – Laura Kenny excels in points race but Valente seals omnium gold

The pair return home with their status’ as two of the greatest athletes in British history only further enhanced, but for Kenny it’s back to reality and her young son.

Asked about the prospect of returning to parental duties, Kenny said: “I was sat at breakfast this morning and I was like, ‘this feels really early’.

“Then I was thinking, ‘yep, this is my life from today onwards’.”

‘What on earth were they thinking?’ – Wiggins after Kenny left rest of field ‘for dead’

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Watch every unmissable moment live from Tokyo 2020 across Eurosport, Eurosport app and discovery+. Download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

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