Manchester's Golden couple race their way to more medals

With more medals than most countries competing in Rio - and a string of glittering post boxes - Manchester's Laura Trott and Jason Kenny are the golden couple of the Olympics.

And there appear to be plans for the 24-year-old, four-time Olympic champion, who trains at the Manchester Velodrome and her fiance, 28, a self-professed miserable sod'' from Bolton with six Olympic titles, to start a cycling dynasty.

However, according to Kenny's father, Michael, the British sporting heroes - who got engaged on Christmas Day 2013 - are just an ordinary couple''.

Their relationship first came to light once the London 2012 track competition had finished, when they were pictured with Prince Harry and then David Beckham at the beach volleyball at Horse Guards Parade. Long lenses trained upon the VIP section, they shared a kiss.

Even then it prompted some observers to suggest British Cycling - famed for attention to detail - had thought of everything, even a breeding programme.

Like Trott, Kenny won his first Olympic medals aged 20, with gold at the 2008 Games in Beijing.

But his fiance's success in London as part of the sensational women's team made her a household name.

Both had Royal Mail pillar boxes painted gold in their home towns, although Trott received two.

One was decorated in Harlow, Essex, where she was born - one month prematurely with a collapsed lung - when her preference was for it to be in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, where she was brought up.

Before their Rio triumph, Kenny could probably walk their dogs, Sprolo and Pringle, near their Bolton home without anyone taking a second glance.

Pringle, a cross between an English springer spaniel and a poodle, is named after the Lee Valley Velodrome, formerly known as the Olympic Velodrome, where Kenny and Trott won two gold medals.

And before the Brazil games Kenny bemoaned a dearth of sponsors during a rare interview.

I'm not very marketable, which is fine. I can't help being a miserable sod. I've just learned to accept that,'' he said.

Kenny appeared far from miserable as he cycled a victory lap smiling from ear to ear after his victory in the keirin on Tuesday.

Trott met her beau by the track in floods of tears before tweeting: Arghhhh!!!!!! I love him to bits!! Our kids have to get some of these genes right?!''

The champion has said that she wants to wait until her career is finished before starting a family, although they are every bit the devoted couple.

Ahead of the games she told OK! magazine: We do everything together.''

The pair received OBEs after the London games and further honours could follow in the New Year's list - bringing new titles a little grander than Mr and Mrs''.

Sir Jason? Dame Laura? Surely it is only a matter of time.

PL

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