Arise Sir Jason and Dame Laura

THE Farnworth Flyer is now Britain’s greatest ever Olympian - and further honours might not be too far away.

Jason Kenny’s record-setting seventh gold in the men’s keirin means he is now the nation's most decorated Olympic athlete.

Even modest Jason, who now has nine Olympic medals in total, described the achievement as “really special”.

He said: “Seven gold medals is really special, when you look back on the ones you have already got it seems pretty easy. Then when you try and get more, you remember how hard it is.”

Interviewed by BBC Sport, wife Laura said: “The amount of people who came up to me afterwards and were like ‘I’d have counted him out of this’ - and to be honest, so had I.

“I was speaking to him last night and he was like, ‘I just want to go home’. Then obviously he won - just typical Jason, that.”

The reaction back home has been emphatic, with fevered speculation Jason should be in line for a knighthood and Laura a damehood.

His old school Mount St Joseph RC has passed on its congratulations to its former pupil.

Headteacher Alex Devany said: "We are immensely proud of all his achievements and we have thoroughly enjoyed watching him thrive and succeed over the years since he left school in 2004, from Beijing back in 2008, then in London, Rio and now Tokyo.

"He is a fantastic ambassador and role model for sport, for cycling and for our MSJ community, inspiring us all with his passion for cycling, his sheer determination, perseverance, resilience, humility and extremely calm manner - he is truly amazing.

"We think he definitely deserves a knighthood alongside Sir Chris Hoy and Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Farnworth councillor Maureen Flitcroft said: “I think it is absolutely amazing, and we are already considering getting him on an honour’s list. The people of Farnworth now have a champion that they can call their own.”

Cllr Linda Thomas, Mayor of Bolton, said: “It was a magnificent display to become the most prolific Olympic medalist in British history. The whole town, like the country salute you. We are all very proud.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also weighed in and said: “This is magnificent. Jason Kenny - the greatest British Olympian ever.”

On the streets of the borough there was nothing but praise for the 33-year-old.

Dominic Bowman said: “A lot of people will now be very proud to say that they are from this place and to be part of something as huge as the Olympics.”

Phil Cumming added: “I’ve been hearing all about it and I think it is great, he has done very well for the community and the country as a whole. It’s not just Bolton, but the whole country can get behind him.”

James Unsworth, owner of The York pub in Bolton, added: “This is really good for the town, the name of Bolton is being heard.”

Betting giants Betfred have now slashed his odds to win Sports Personality of the Year to 2-1. His wife is 10-1.

Share this post