Kenny Wins Keirin Gold Amid Controversy
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Aug 16, 2016 – Jason Kenny won a controversial men’s keirin in Rio on Tuesday to claim a British record-equaling sixth Olympic title.
AFP/Yuzuru Sunada
The 28-year-old matched the feat of six gold medals and one silver achieved by the man he succeeded as Olympic keirin champion, cycling legend Chris Hoy.
“I’m so tired, I’m floating through it. I don’t know really, I turned up here in a funny mood earlier on because I was happy — not that I’m always unhappy,” Kenny told the BBC. “Pretty mental really (to equal Hoy’s record) to come here and do the same is amazing.”
It was a golden double as Kenny’s girlfriend Laura Trott had earlier won the women’s omnium. Kenny has won three gold medals at these Games and Trott two, taking their combined total to 10.
“Not bad is it, 10 medals,” beamed Kenny.
The keirin final had to be restarted twice after false starts but no-one was disqualified as Matthijs Buchli of the Netherlands won silver with Azizulhasni Awang of Malaysia taking bronze.
Kenny and Awang looked to have infringed the first time while German world champion Joachim Eilers was heading the field the second time, although television replays suggested he’d done nothing wrong. But Kenny held his nerve, to the delight of Hoy.
“It’s character — just fantastic. This is a really special moment. Phenomenal performance tonight and all week,” said Hoy.