Kenny not Hoy selected for London 2012 Olympic sprint

Jason Kenny, London Track World Cup 2012, day four

Jason Kenny has been selected ahead of Sir Chris Hoy to contest the track sprint at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

With only one place available per nation for the individual sprint, a tough call had to be made for the final selection - with Kenny given the nod ahead of 2008 Olympic sprint champion Hoy. It means that Hoy will not be able to match his three gold medals from the Beijing Games: sprint, team sprint and keirin.

It also means that one of the most exciting, popular and consistent riders will be absent from the sprint event due to rider number restrictions.

"Both Chris and Jason are on great form and that made it a difficult choice but we have decided to select Jason to contest the sprint and Chris will concentrate on the Keirin," said British team performance director David Brailsford.

"We believe this gives us the strongest team possible going into the Games."

Hoy added: "Whilst I'm obviously disappointed not to be defending all three of my 2008 Olympic titles in London, Jason thoroughly deserves this opportunity and has a great chance of success in the sprint.

"I'm now focussed entirely on the Keirin and Team Sprint and my goals for these two events haven't changed."

Kenny, Hoy and Philip Hindes will join forces to contest the team sprint, with Ross Edgar in reserve.

There were no other surprises in the British track team line-up with a proven mix of defending Olympic champions and world champions as well as fresh new talent.

Britain came away from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games with 12 medals from the track cycling disciplines, seven of them gold. The removal of the individual pursuit and points race events, plus the introduction of limited rider places and new events, has reduced the chance of repeating this success in London this summer.

Team GB track cyclists: London 2012 Olympic Games

Men's Team Sprint

Philip Hindes

Sir Chris Hoy

Jason Kenny

(Reserve - Ross Edgar)

Women's Team Sprint

Victoria Pendleton

Jess Varnish

(Reserve - Becky James)

Men's Team Pursuit

Steven Burke

Ed Clancy

Peter Kennaugh

Andy Tennant

Geraint Thomas

Women's Team Pursuit

Wendy Houvenaghel

Dani King

Joanna Rowsell

Laura Trott

Men's Sprint

Jason Kenny

Women's Sprint

Victoria Pendleton

Men's Keirin

Sir Chris Hoy

Women's Keirin

Victoria Pendleton

Men's Omnium

Ed Clancy

Women's Omnium

Laura Trott

Related links

Team GB: Rider profiles

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.