Jason Kenny ’emptied the tanks’ to win gold
Double Olympic gold medallist Jason Kenny tells Channel 4 News he “emptied the tanks” on the last lap of the men’s individual sprint to win his second gold of the London 2012 Games.
The pressure was on Jason Kenny more than most: the 24-year old had been selected for Team GB’s individual sprint ahead of five-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy.
He lived up to expectations roaring past his French opponent Gregory Bauge to take the first race and sealing his win by holding him off in the second.
Kenny was also part of the team sprint which won gold on Thursday.
“Since I finished I haven’t sat down really – I’ve been running around all over the place just trying to enjoy it,” he said.
“It’s mental, it’s really strange. As soon as you cross the line and look up and see the crowd and feel the atmosphere it’s really special.”
In a tactical final, Kenny kept a constant eye on Bauge as the pair crawled around the first one-and-a-half laps of the 250m circuit before unleashing their speed.
When you’re racing someone that fast you know they’re going to be giving it a good go in the last half lap so I was keeping my head down and making sure I completely emptied the tanks. Jason Kenny
Kenny told Channel 4 News he gave it everything he had: “When you’re racing someone that fast you know they’re going to be giving it a good go in the last half lap so I was keeping my head down and making sure I completely emptied the tanks.”
Earlier, Kenny, wearing a full visor covering his eyes, thumped the air as he came from behind to win the first round of the best-of-three final.
But just four days after the 6,000-strong crowd exploded with noise as Kenny took his first gold with team-mates Sir Chris and Philip Hindes, the 24-year-old sprinted down the home straight to glory.
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Kenny punched the air before cycling around the track with both arms outstretched.
As he pointed to the roaring crowd, Kenny’s coaches jumped in the air and hugged one another in the centre of the Velodrome.
Just when fans thought they could make no more noise, Kenny took off his helmet and the crowd went wild.
His success looks set to be officially marked in his hometown of Bolton, where the council has said his achievements will be formally recognised after the Games.
