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Great Britain’s Laura Trott was in a state of disbelief as she became a double Olympic champion in a thrilling conclusion to the omnium.
The 20-year-old became the first female British cyclist to win two gold medals at one Olympic Games after edging out American Sarah Hammer in the final event, the 500m time-trial. The two went head to head in the final heat, with Trott needing to beat Hammer by three places to win without the need for a count back.
A stunning time of 35.110 was enough to win the event for Trott and with confirmation that Hammer finished fourth, she celebrated her second gold medal after being part of the trio which claimed women’s team pursuit gold in world record time on Saturday.
“I’m so happy and I can’t thank everyone enough.”
Laura Trott
"I can't believe this has happened to me. I came into today not feeling as good as yesterday and to finish off with that last 500m is unbelievable,” Trott said. “I'm peaking at the right time and it's all thanks to the coaches really and the support of the crowd. I'm so happy I can't thank people enough really."
“Paul Manning has got me to peak at the right time and I couldn’t ask much more of the coaching staff. They’ve help me improve so much from the worlds and it’s all thanks to the coaches, my family and friends are here and the support of the crowd.
“I’m so happy and I can’t thank everyone enough.”
On Friday and Saturday, Trott – along with Dani King and Joanna Rowsell – broke the world record in the women’s team pursuit three times on their way to gold.
She had entered the final day of the women’s omnium event in first, before dropping to second after the 3km individual pursuit, dropped further back from Hammer in the scratch race before overhauling her in the most dramatic fashion.
