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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
James Whaling

Jason and Laura Kenny return home after Olympic heroes make history at Tokyo Games

Jason and Laura Kenny returned home to the UK after their history-making exploits at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

The married duo broke yet more records on the track as they wrote themselves into Olympic folklore with further success in the velodrome.

Jason stormed to victory in the men's keirin to win an incredible seventh Olympic gold medal, adding to the silver he won earlier in the Games in the team pursuit.

It means he's out on his own as our best-ever Olympian, overtaking fellow cyclist Chris Hoy who won six golds over the course of his illustrious career.

Laura, meanwhile, became Britain's most decorated female Olympian as she added another gold and silver to her collection.

(Getty Images)

The 29-year-old won the Madison alongside Katie Archibald and finished second in the team pursuit.

It takes her tally of gold medals to five, meaning her and Jason have an incredible 12 gold medals and three silvers between them.

Laura was chosen to carry the UK flag at the closing ceremony, and spoke of her pride at her achievements.

“The past 18 months have been tough for everyone, and I really hope me and my Team GB teammates have given the nation something to celebrate," she said.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in. All I know is that I’ve worked so hard to be here — but I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, friends and everyone at British Cycling."

Laura crashed in the omnium, meaning she was unsuccessful in defending that particular title from the Rio Olympics, but Jason's victory in the keirin made sure it was 12 medals for the duo.

When asked if they could make a clock out of their medals, Jason replied: "We have done it now.

“I was expecting Laura to get the 12th to be honest. Unfortunately, she was on the floor earlier. It has been a long race.

(Cover Images)

"I have been disappointed I haven’t been as competitive as I wanted to be. But in the keirins, you can race hard and ride your luck.

“I had all but given up, I was counting my career in days and races as opposed to years — but maybe I have bought myself more time now.”

In all, Team GB won 65 medals in Tokyo, with boss Mark England calling the success "the greatest achievement in British Olympic history” in context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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