Watch: New most decorated Olympian lead medals charge
Jason Kenny became Britain’s the most successful Olympian when Team GB took men’s team sprint silver at the Izu Velodrome at the Tokyo Games on Tuesday.
The Netherlands were clear favourites heading into the race and produced a superb ride to beat their own Olympic record and take the title.
However, Kenny’s eighth Olympic medal meant that he drew level with fellow cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins’s eight – but has a greater number of golds – and also overtakes Sir Chris Hoy’s total, with six gold and two silver.
“It’s nice – limped over the line with a silver,” joked Kenny. “Main thing is that I beat Chris because I know it will annoy him. He’s probably going to make a comeback for Paris now. It’s really nice, really special. It is hard – every time I come to the Games it seems to get harder.”
1) Jason Kenny (Track Cycling): 8 medals: 6 gold, 2 silver
When he was selected for a fourth Games, it was perhaps only a matter of time before Kenny, who married fellow cyclist Laura Trott in 2016, eclipsed Hoy to become GB’s most successful Olympian. A hat-trick of gold medals at Rio 2016 paved the way for his accolade in Tokyo.
2) Chris Hoy (Track Cycling): 7 medals: 6 gold, 1 silver
The Scot won his first Olympic medal at Sydney 2000 before gold was earned at Athens 2004. The multiple world champion then bagged a golden hat-trick at Beijing 2008 before the London 2012 flagbearer shone at his home Games by becoming the then most successful Olympic cyclist in history with six gold.
3) Bradley Wiggins (Track & Road Cycling): 8 medals: 5 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
Wiggins became the first British man to win the Tour de France, in 2012, before landing time trial gold at the London Games. Wiggins won eight Olympic medals in all, the final hurrah coming at Rio 20126 in the team pursuit.
4) Steve Redgrave (Rowing): 6 medals: 5 gold, 1 bronze
The rowing great accrued an incredible five golds at successive Olympics from 1984 to 2000, the first Briton to achieve the mark. He racked up nine world titles along the way and has been GB flagbearer at two separate Olympics
5) Ben Ainslie (Sailing): 5 medals: 4 gold, 1 silver
With four Olympic titles, the battle-hardened Ainslie is Britain’s greatest sailor, winning medals in five successive Olympics from 1996 to 2012. At the London Games, he famously came from behind to beat his Danish rival in the single-handed Finn class.
6) Laura Kenny (Track Cycling): 5 medals: 4 gold, 1 silver
Kenny (born Trott) became the first female athlete to win four Olympic golds for Team GB after winning the omnium title alongside Joanna Rowsell Shand and Dani Rowe at London 2012. After two further golds at Rio 2016, she married Jason Kenny.
7) Mo Farah (Athletics): 4 medals: 4 gold
A multiple world distance champion, Farah became a British track great following the completion of the double-double when he defended 5,000m and 10,000m gold medals at Rio 2016. He ended his track career in 2017 by winning 10,000m world gold in London before turning to marathon.
8) Matthew Pinsent (Rowing): 4 medals: 4 gold
Forming a formidable partnership with Redgrave, the Briton won gold medals at four Olympics between 1992 and 2004. He claimed golds in the coxless pairs, in 1992 and 1996, and then in the coxless fours, with Redgrave by his side in each successful assault.
9) Paulo Radmilovic (Water Polo & Swimming): 4 medals: 4 gold
The lesser known Olympian on this liest, Radmilovic made his debut in swimming in 1906 and ended it in the water polo pool aged 42 at the 1928 Games. Eight years previously, he helped GB to water polo gold when he scored late on against Belgium.
10) Adam Peaty (Swimming): 5 medals: Three gold, 2 silver
The undisputed breaststroke star of the pool and unbeaten for seven years as he landed a successful defence of his 100m crown at Tokyo 2020. His star status led Team GB to a record haul of four golds, and finishing third in swimming medal table. Rower Jack Beresford also holds the same tally as Peaty after golds at the 1924, 1932 and 1936 Games.
British top 10 most successful Olympians
1) Jason Kenny (Track Cycling): 8 medals: 6 gold, 2 silver
2) Chris Hoy (Track Cycling): 7 medals: 6 gold, 1 silver
3) Bradley Wiggins (Track & Road Cycling): 8 medals: 5 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze
4) Steve Redgrave (Rowing): 6 medals: 5 gold, 1 bronze
5) Ben Ainslie (Sailing): 5 medals: 4 gold, 1 silver
6) Laura Kenny (Track Cycling): 5 medals: 4 gold, 1 silver
7) Mo Farah (Athletics): 4 medals: 4 gold
8) Matthew Pinsent (Rowing): 4 medals: 4 gold
9) Paulo Radmilovic (Water Polo & Swimming): 4 medals: 4 gold
10) Adam Peaty (Swimming): 5 medals: Three gold, 2 silver
Watch: How to raise an Olympian – UK rower Mark Hunter