Jason Kenny becomes Team GB’s greatest EVER Olympian with his record EIGHTH medal after silver in men’s team pursuit
JASON KENNY became Team GB’s greatest-ever Olympian after winning a record eighth medal with silver in the men’s team pursuit.
The British icon, 33, couldn’t help his team battle past Holland in the final but still took his overall tally to eight gongs, including six golds and two silvers.
For Kenny, Ryan Owens and Jack Carlin, there was no shame in finishing second after the imperious Dutch squad smashed the Olympic record.
Kenny struggled to stay on the pace in the second of three laps, falling 15 yards behind Carlin.
Holland were already way in front and far more cohesive as a unit crossing the line in another world record of 41.369 with Kenny more than three seconds in arrears.
It was the first time since he was runner up to Sir Chris Hoy in the sprint in Beijing that Kenny has not been top of the Olympic podium.
Despite finishing second Kenny overtakes fellow cyclist Bradley Wiggins to become Team GB‘s best Olympian.
Wiggins, 41, won five golds, one silver and two bronze medals during his illustrious career.
Kenny won gold in the team sprint and silver in the individual event at Beijing 2008.
He won gold in both races four years later on home soil at London 2012.
At Rio 2016, Kenny won gold in the team sprint, individual sprint AND Keirin to take his medal haul to seven.
And he made it No8 in Tokyo with a silver medal in the men’s team pursuit to become the Best of Britain.
SILVER LINING
Earlier, Team GB were also forced to settle for silver in the women’s team pursuit – including Laura Kenny – after Germany shattered the world record to take gold.
Kenny won both the pursuit and omnium in London and Beijing to arrive in Tokyo with four of her family’s ten gold medals.
But despite two brilliant rides alongside Katie Archibald, Neah Evans and Josie Knight, it was not quite enough as the German quartet powered to a stunning triumph.
GB were quickest away but by the 500m mark the Germans had moved clear by half a second, doubling that at the 1km stage.
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The gap grew, lap by lap, with even Kenny struggling to make an impact and by the 2km stage the advantage was a huge 2.178 seconds.
Surely irrecoverable and the Germans were on fire as they closed in on a potential catch which would have finished the race early.
Kenny and Co avoided that fate but there was nothing they could do as the Germans crossed the line in a staggering 4:04.249, almost half a lap quicker than the British team.
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