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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jeremy Armstrong

'I Am Team GB': Olympic golden girl Laura Kenny launches UK's biggest sports day

Olympic golden girl Laura Kenny has launched the nation's biggest sports day - with a touch of magic from London 2012.

The UK's most successful female Olympian with four gold medals, Laura paid tribute to the Games Makers from seven years ago.

They are volunteering again for "I Am Team GB", a crusade to get thousands of people active for the nation's biggest sports day on Saturday August 24.

It will involve not just Great British favourites like football, cycling and swimming... but 'simple things' like a walk in the park.

Laura Kenny is the UK's most successful female Olympian (PA)
Laura and Jason combine 'nightshifts' for young Albert (Daily Mirror)

Laura, 27, married to fellow team GB cyclist Jason Kenny, 31, told how their son Albert, two, will travel to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as they combine parenthood with a relentless training schedule.

"He is still not sleeping," she joked. "But his grandparents help out a lot. We are very lucky."

'I am Team GB' aims to inspire people to change their lifestyle as research shows obesity will soon cause more common cancers than smoking.

"I remember the atmosphere and buzz of 2012, it was just fantastic," Laura said.

'I Am Team GB' will see thousands of people get active (Daily Mirror)
The nation's biggest Sports Day is on Saturday August 24 during the Bank Holiday weekend (Daily Mirror)

"It was chucking it down and Games Makers were outside singing and dancing.

"This activity day is capturing all of that. We want everyone out there. Walking, cycling, kids dancing to a maths question in class....small things can make a huge difference."

She and Jason combine 'nightshifts'', with Laura taking care of their son in the early hours, before a lie in as Jason takes over ahead of daily training.

The volunteers from London 2012 are making a comeback to organise sport and recreational events (Daily Mirror)

Images of Laura weightlifting during pregnancy sparked online comments - "when my coach saw me squatting with the baby bump, even he said it was weird!"

But the light sessions kept her in shape not just for motherhood, but training after a year out of her usual routine.

And her message is simple.

"I cycle because I love it.

Laura Kenny, pictured in March, says she was "heartbroken" by England's exit from the football World Cup (PA)

"I would carry on after having Alby because I just love riding my bike.

"This day gives everyone a chance to try something new.

"And unless you try it, you never know."

Team GB Commercial Director Tim Ellerton told how they had decided to nbring the day back after its impact in 2016 after the Rio Games.

Free events are being held at locations across the country.

For more information on the Toyota-backed campaign, click here.

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