Bolton Council has a 'problem': it doesn't know how to honour Jason Kenny
Six-time Olympic champion Jason Kenny will be commemorated by his local council but they aren't sure how
Bolton Council has admitted that it has no idea how it will celebrate its most famous son Jason Kenny's achievements in becoming the joint all-time most successful British Olympian.
Kenny's three gold medals in Rio means he has six Olympic gold medals in his collection alongside Sir Chris Hoy, but after having two post boxes painted gold in his honour after his London 2012 success, as well as having the local leisure centre named after him, the local council is struggling to think of a way to commemorate Kenny once again.
>>> The all-time list of Britain’s most successful Olympic cyclists
The council has sent Kenny a congratulatory card and will host a civic reception when he returns from South America, but ideas for a permanent recognition has left local councillors with a bit of a headache. "We are racking our brains about how best to mark his latest achievement," Cllr John Byrne of the council admitted.
"We have been talking about the different options. After 2012 we named a leisure centre after him, where do you go from there?
>>> Is Jason Kenny Britain’s most underrated sportsman?
"I think a statue could be a bit premature because you normally do that after someone has finished their career and the way Jason looks right now, he could keep going for a while."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Bolton North East MP David Crosby agreed, telling This is Lancashire: "The problem with Jason is he is so good that he could carry on and keep winning things and we could end up naming half of the town after him.”
We think Jason Kenny Street has a ring to it. And Jason Kenny Park. Heck, the town's football club is short on money, why not redevelop it into the Jason Kenny Velodrome?
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
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
'With a few changes, it'll be class' - Josh Tarling optimistic about Ineos Grenadiers future
'Everybody wants to get better and get back to winning,' 20-year-old tells audience at Rouleur Live
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Knowing the course in a virtual race is maybe even more important than in road racing': Former e-sports World Champion's top tips
Speed skater turned eSports world champion, Loes Adegeest, on how to become virtually unbeatable when racing indoors
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'It was just too big an opportunity': Jason Kenny had nothing to lose in Keirin final before coming up with Olympic Gold
“Literally just before we rode off, I didn’t want to be on the front and I said to my coach, ‘if they leave the gap, should I just go?’"
By Jonny Long Published
-
Jason Kenny wins seventh Olympic gold as he steals away to take Keirin title in Tokyo
The Brit put in an audacious attack, sprinting clear with three laps to go
By Jonny Long Published
-
Tokyo 2020: Jason Kenny and Katy Marchant share disappointment after missing out on medals
The two riders had been hoping to be in the fight for the gold medal in their respective events
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Tokyo 2020 Olympics: Everything you need to know about Jason Kenny
The British rider has six Olympic gold medals to his name and will be looking to add to his tally in Japan
By Tim Bonville-Ginn Published
-
Laura Kenny can take British Olympic medal record, says husband Jason
Some GB cyclists have recently returned to the Manchester velodrome as preparations continue for the Tokyo Olympics
By Jonny Long Published
-
British sprinters back on podium to usher in a new era
The British men won their first team sprint medal in seven years at the track worlds in Apeldoorn, boasting a strength in depth that bodes well for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and beyond.
By Simon Richardson Published
-
Jason Kenny makes successful track return at Revolution (gallery)
Olympic champion Jason Kenny made his competitive return to Manchester velodrome on Saturday for the Revolution track meeting, coming up against old sprint rival Gregory Bauge
By Nigel Wynn Published
-
Jason Kenny named in Great Britain squad despite retirement speculation
Jason and Laura Kenny are two of 87 athletes who will be supported by British Cycling until the next Olympics, despite speculation that Jason could retire.
By Henry Robertshaw Published