Born prematurely with a collapsed lung and later diagnosed with asthma, Laura Kenny was advised to engage in sports to manage her breathing. She initially took up trampolining but shifted to cycling alongside her mother, who had started the sport to lose weight. She began cycling at the age of eight.

Dame Laura Kenny | Early Career

At the 2009 and 2010 British National Track Championships, she claimed two junior titles in each year. In 2010, she also secured a third-place finish in the individual pursuit, earning her a spot on the team pursuit squad for the European Track Championships at just 18 years old.

After clinching gold at the Euros, she went on to claim her first world title in 2011, again as part of the team pursuit squad. In the lead-up to the 2012 Olympics, she further cemented her dominance by winning two more World Championship and two European Championship gold medals in both the team pursuit and the omnium – securing her place in Team GB as these events made their Olympic debut.

Dame Laura Kenny | Career Achievements 

Laura’s professional career is distinguished by her specialisation in track endurance events, including the team pursuit, omnium, scratch race, elimination race, and madison disciplines. She first gained international attention at the 2010 European Track Championships and quickly became a cornerstone of Great Britain’s cycling team.

Throughout her career, Laura won 63 senior medals, including:

– Olympic Games: Five gold medals and one silver, making her the most successful female in cycling Olympic history.

– World Championships: Seven gold and five silver medals.

– European Championships: Fourteen gold medals.

– Commonwealth Games: Two gold medals.

Dame Laura Kenny | Honours and Awards

Laura was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to cycling and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours, also for services to cycling.

In 2022, Laura was then appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)  for services to cycling. Her husband Jason was knighted on the same list, also for cycling services.

She received an Honorary Degree from the University of Essex in 2013.

In 2014, the former Grundy Park Leisure Centre in Cheshunt was renamed The Laura Trott Leisure Centre in her honour following a £4 million redevelopment.

Laura married fellow track cyclist Jason Kenny in September 2016. Their partnership is celebrated as one of the most successful in Olympic history, with a combined total of 12 gold medals.

Why Book Dame Laura Kenny? 

Laura is a compelling speaker who delves into the mental and physical demands of high-level success, sharing insights on resilience, determination, overcoming challenges, and managing triumphs.

With her inspiring journey, she is a sought-after host for events, award ceremonies, and sports functions, as well as an engaging after-dinner speaker. Her talks leave audiences motivated and equipped with practical strategies to achieve their own goals, making her a dynamic and impactful addition to any event.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Britain’s most successful female Olympian, Dame Laura Kenny for your next event.

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