Olympic gold medallist Katy Marchant has announced her retirement from elite cycling. The 33-year-old departs as a reigning Olympic champion, having secured gold in the women’s team sprint at Paris 2024 with teammates Emma Finucane and Sophie Capewell. Marchant also claimed world and European titles in the same year.
Marchant stated, “I’ve achieved more than I could ever have dreamed of achieving…” She had previously aimed to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but described her decision as not difficult, despite moments of doubt. “I just don’t want to make those choices anymore to keep doing what it takes to get to LA,” she added.
Marchant competed in Paris two years after welcoming her first son, Arthur, and returned to competition in January this year, six months after the birth of her second son, Walter. She was the first track sprinter to return to elite racing after becoming a mother, a discipline with unique physical demands. Marchant also earned an individual sprint bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics.