Great Britain Cycling Team riders Jason Kenny and Laura Kenny have today been recognised in the 2022 New Year Honours list, becoming Sir Jason and Dame Laura, following a year in which the pair’s Olympic performances saw them become Britain’s most decorated Olympian and most successful female Olympian respectively.

Both Jason and Laura returned from Tokyo with two more medals for the family collection, with Jason claiming silver in the team sprint and a remarkable keirin gold, while Laura won team pursuit silver and produced a dominant display alongside Katie Archibald to win the women’s Madison.

Great Britain Cycling Team Performance Director, Stephen Park, has today received a CBE, and joins an additional nine of his riders in the New Year Honours list: Jody Cundy CBE; Kadeena Cox OBE; Tom Pidcock MBE; Matt Rotherham MBE; Beth Shriever MBE; Jaco van Gass MBE; Matt Walls MBE; Ben Watson MBE; Charlotte Worthington MBE.

Jason won his first international medal back in 2006, riding in the team sprint alongside Matt Crampton and Craig MacLean, and has since added 10 world and nine Olympic medals to his palmarès, including seven golds.

Laura first burst on to the world stage and into the public’s hearts at London 2012, where she was part of the team pursuit trio which broke the world record three times en route to gold before going on to win the omnium – all at the age of just 20. Now a six-time Olympic medallist, with five golds, she has also won seven world and 14 European titles in a glittering career.

The pair were married in 2016 and gave birth to their son Albie a year later.

Responding to the announcement, Great Britain Cycling Team Performance Director Stephen Park CBE said:

“Not only are Jason and Laura true masters of their craft, they are also wonderful team-mates, role models and ambassadors for our sport. I’m personally delighted that their remarkable performances have been recognised in the New Year Honours list and they should both be incredibly proud of what they have achieved.

“While Jason and Laura will rightly take the plaudits, we should also take this opportunity to acknowledge all of those in our coaching and support teams who have worked so hard over the years to set them on the path to success. Our country simply could not produce such great champions without them.”

British Cycling Chair, Frank Slevin, added:

“I’m delighted to see Jason and Laura’s names added to a growing list of cycling’s Knights and Dames, reflecting both the unprecedented success we have enjoyed over recent years and our sport’s ever-growing place in the nation’s hearts and minds.

“Behind every Olympic and Paralympic champion is an army of grassroots volunteers, coaches, organisers and officials, many of whom will have been proudly serving the sport since long before Jason and Laura took their first pedal strokes on the track at the National Cycling Centre and Welwyn Wheelers’ velodrome.

“We know that by continuing to offer welcoming and accessible opportunities and facilities for people to get on their bike, and the support they need to fulfil their talent, we can play our part in developing the champions of tomorrow and inspiring millions more to discover the joy of our sport.”

The New Year Honours awarded to the Great Britain Cycling Team:

Sir Jason Kenny

Dame Laura Kenny

Jody Cundy CBE

Stephen Park CBE

Kadeena Cox OBE

Tom Pidcock MBE

Matt Rotherham MBE

Beth Shriever MBE

Jaco van Gass MBE

Matt Walls MBE

Ben Watson MBE

Charlotte Worthington MBE