According to British Cycling performance director, Stephen Park, five-time Olympic champion Dame Laura Kenny has a low likelihood of participating in the Paris Games this summer.

In November, the most accomplished female athlete from Britain expressed her goal to participate in her fourth Olympic Games. This came just a few months after she welcomed her second child, Monty, in July with her husband, seven-time Olympic champion Sir Jason Kenny.

The individual who is 31 years old acknowledged that it would be quite a challenge to regain her previous level of performance in time. Since she has not participated in a race since giving birth, she currently does not have enough points to qualify for Paris, let alone be chosen for the team that won the world team pursuit championship in the previous year.

Since Kenny will not be able to compete at the nations cup in Hong Kong this month, her last opportunity to earn points will be at the final round in Milton, Canada in April.

Park stated that the likelihood of her being in Paris is low. The initial obstacle is for her to secure a competitive position and take action to be chosen for events that would lead to her qualification, both individually and as part of a team. These are significant challenges as she must attend the appropriate events to qualify individually and also be competitive amidst a highly competitive team.

Kenny has not resumed her usual training at the Manchester velodrome, as she is currently following her own schedule. According to Park, it is more probable that she will aim for the UCI Track World Championships in Denmark in October.

“We have maintained ongoing and continuous communication with Laura and have provided her with support as she prepares to return to training,” he stated. “She remains optimistic about participating in the world championships, which has always been her main goal.”

“Laura’s self-assurance in her ability to succeed is the first crucial factor. No one understands the requirements for winning a medal in women’s track better than her. I am certain that if she sets her mind to it and feels physically and mentally prepared, she will achieve it.”

View image in fullscreen

In both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics, Kenny achieved Olympic gold in the team pursuit and omnium events. Four years later in Tokyo, after giving birth to her son Albie, Kenny won her fifth Olympic gold in the Madison event alongside Katie Archibald. She also earned a team pursuit silver medal.

In Glasgow last year, Archibald, along with Elinor and Meg Barker, Josie Knight, and Anna Morris, clinched the gold medal in the team pursuit at the world championships. They are expected to be among the top contenders for the title in Paris. According to Park, Kenny is aware of what it takes to succeed in the competition.

However, she is also aware that returning to this position could have an impact on the training of her colleagues. She is very mindful of their progress and wants to ensure that when she is ready, she can seamlessly integrate into the environment without impeding their progress.

Source: theguardian.com