It is impossible not to have Laura Trott as one of my Sportswomen in the Spotlight. Not only is she the most successful British track cyclist but also the most successful trace cyclist in history. Moreover, she is also the most successful female GB Olympian ever, in which she holds four gold medals. These were things I knew before writing about her, however, the more research I did into her sporting the career the more I became in awe of her incredible sporting successes.
From 2009 until the present day she has won several international medals for cycling every year. Starting in 2009 with her junior competitions winning British national track individual pursuit and the point’s race. Trott has been British national track champion in a variety of different discipline since 2011 including the team pursuit, point’s race, individual pursuit, Madison and scratch race. Not only has she excelled on the track but also on the road, in which she holds the British national road race title since 2011. In 2010 her level of cycling was so high she began to compete in both senior and junior events, being crowned the European track champion in the team pursuit. She has been on the medal podium in the European Championship since 2011 for team pursuit, omnium and in some cases the scratch race as well. Her gold haul only continued from then on meaning she has won the world championship in the team pursuit since 2011 (missing out on the title in 2015 due to an injury) and well in some years taking home yet another title in the omnium as well.
As mentioned earlier Trott holds the most Gold medals by any female GB athlete in any sport. What’s even more remarkable is that it only took her two Olympic games to achieve such a prestigious title. Her Olympic gold rush began in front of her home crowd in London 2012 where she grasped the Olympic title in true Trott style in not one but two events of the team pursuit and the omnium. In the team pursuit final Team GB set a new world record of 3:12:051! What makes this world record break even more remarkable is that in pre-Olympic training they had already broken the previous world record 6 times! It’s undeniable that our women’s team pursuit team are remarkable and phenomenal athletes. Then last summer we got to watch Trott take to track yet again to retain Olympic titles in both events for a second Olympics in a row. Trott shows no signs of stopping, so who knows, hopefully the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo could add another 2 gold medals to her impressive tally.
It’s clear as to why Trott holds the title of being the most successful female cyclist in history. Winning so many medals in so many different events on some many various levels. It’s an incredible achievement to be immensely proud of. Every time she races she takes the crowds breath away with her masterful performance. Her determination and constant drive to improve to keep at the top of her gain inspires so many. She received an OBE in 2013 and in this year’s New Year’s Honour list she received a CBE for her services to cycling. A fitting tribute to the incredible impact this woman has had on not only her sport but the British public too.
