Dame Laura Kenny has announced her retirement from cycling after ending her dream of qualifying for this summer’s Olympics.

Britain’s most successful female Olympian had been targeting a fourth Games in Paris despite only giving birth to her second son, Monty, last July.

But with her chances of selection rated as ‘slim’ by British Cycling bosses earlier this month, Kenny has now decided to end her illustrious career altogether at the age of 31.

‘I always knew deep down I would know when was the right time,’ said the five-time Olympic gold medallist, who is married to seven-time champion Jason Kenny.

‘I have had an absolute blast but now is the time for me to hang that bike up.

Laura Kenny – Great Britain’s most successful female Olympian – has retired from professional cycling aged 31 after her hopes of making Paris 2024 faded

Kenny with husband Jason, the former Olympic track cyclist, at the Tokyo Olympics 

The Kennys pictured at the Pride of Britain Awards in London in October 2022

Kenny said she was proud her legacy would be inspiring women and girls to get on their bikes

‘It’s been in my head a little while, the sacrifices of leaving the children and your family at home is really quite big and it really is a big decision to make.

‘More and more, I was struggling to do that. More people were asking me what races was I doing, what training camps was I going on – I didn’t want to go and that’s what it came down to.

‘I was getting these hesitant feelings. Going on to win another gold medal, as much as I would love to do that, it wasn’t giving me the energy I wanted anymore.

‘I wasn’t thinking, ‘I really want to go on and win one’. I was thinking, ‘I really want to stay at home with the children’.’

Kenny won golds in the omnium and team pursuit at both London 2012 and Rio 2016. After giving birth to her first son Albie in 2017, she went on to win the madison with Katie Archibald at Tokyo 2020, as well as a silver in the team pursuit. She also claimed seven world titles.

Writing on Instagram, Kenny said: ‘Thank you cycling for everything you’ve given me – including a husband and our growing family!

‘Having people say I have inspired women and girls to get active and get on a bike means the world to me.

‘Thanks to Team GB, British Cycling and all the partners who have supported my journey. A special thanks to every team-mate I have had over the years and of course to my family for being the best support unit I could ever have wished for.

Laura Trott – her maiden name – celebrate gold in the Omnium at the London 2012 Olympics

Trott (centre), celebrates 2012 Team Pursuit gold with Dani King (left) and Joanna Rowsell

‘It’s now time to move on but stay following for the next chapter.’

Kenny says she hopes to be in Paris in ‘some capacity’ but has ruled out become a coach like her husband Jason, who works with Britain’s men’s sprint team after retiring in 2022

‘There’s nothing set in stone but there are things I’m so interested in doing,’ she told the BBC. ‘Something to help the younger generation, whether that could be some kind of academy.

‘I could never be a coach because that’s just too much pressure for me, but maybe something in the background that would help the youngsters have the opportunities I had.’

Paying tribute to Kenny, British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: ‘Laura hangs up her wheels as not just one of the sport’s greatest riders, but as one of the greatest sporting talents our country has ever produced.

‘All who have had the pleasure of watching Laura compete will pay witness to her peerless combination of craft and determination, which propelled her to become Britain’s most successful female Olympian and the first British woman to win gold medals at three consecutive Olympic Games.

It was during the London 2012 Games that her relationship with fellow cyclist Jason Kenny became public 

Sir Jason and Dame Laura receive their medals at a Windsor Castle Investiture in May 2022

‘Just as impressive, however, is the impact which Laura has had on her fellow riders on the Great Britain Cycling Team and the next generation of Olympic hopefuls.

‘She has been a beacon of inspiration for so many, young and old, and I’m sure that the entire British cycling community will join me in wishing her the very best in the next chapter of her life.

‘From Welwyn Wheelers and our talent pathway to the very top of the sport, we’re so proud of everything that she has achieved, and I’m sure she will continue to be one of our team’s biggest supporters for many years to come.’