Kenny races to sprint-cycling gold (From This Is Lancashire)

Kenny races to sprint-cycling gold

6:42pm Monday 6th August 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Britain's Jason Kenny became the host nation's first double gold medallist of London 2012 with a breathtaking sprint finish.

In the heat and the noise of the Olympic Velodrome, the pressure was on to justify his selection ahead of five-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy.

But just four days after the 6,000-strong crowd exploded with noise as Kenny took his first gold with team-mates Sir Chris and Philip Hindes, the 24-year-old sprinted down the home straight to glory.

Kenny punched the air before cycling around the track with both arms outstretched.

Earlier, the British showjumping team leapt apt to a glorious gold in a nail-biting jump-off.

The victory for Nick Skelton, Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Peter Charles was Britain's first team gold in the event for 60 years.

And earlier, Britain's first medal of the day was secured by gymnast Beth Tweddle, who won her first Olympic medal, a bronze in the final of the uneven bars.

Team GB is rapidly closing in on its best-ever post-war Olympic Games. It remains third in the medal table with 39 - 17 gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze.

By the end of the hugely-successful Beijing Games, Britain had won 47 medals, 19 of which were gold.

Veteran rider Skelton said winning the gold in front of a packed crowd in Greenwich was "a dream come true", adding: "Its great for the country and great for our sport."