London 2012 Olympics: Trott wins second title with victory in women’s omnium

Published on 08/08/2012 02:57

GREAT Britain’s Laura Trott won her second gold of the London 2012 Olympic Games with victory in the women’s omnium.

The velodrome was the day’s hot ticket, with everyone from London 2012 chief Sebastian Coe and Prince Harry to NBA basketball star Kobe Bryant in attendance, anticipating success for Sir Chris Hoy - who duly delivered - and Victoria Pendleton - who finished with a gallant silver - on their final Olympic appearances.

But first it was Trott’s turn.

The 20-year-old from Cheshunt won team pursuit gold on Saturday, but has now won an individual title to join an elite club of British females to have won double gold at a single Games, including Dame Kelly Holmes and swimmer Rebecca Adlington.

Trott won Track Cycling World Championships gold in each event and now has double Olympic gold, too.

Sarah Hammer of the United States was second, with Annette Edmondson of Australia third.

Trott was two points behind Hammer entering the final discipline, the 500metres time-trial, but claimed her third win from six disciplines to overhaul the deficit and win by a 
point.

She clocked 35.110 seconds, with Hammer finishing fourth in 35.900 as a jubilant Trott triumphed on 18 points, with Hammer finishing with 19.

The effervescent Trott celebrated with family and team pursuit colleague Dani King before riding a lap of honour draped in the Union flag as the capacity crowd chanted her name.

Edmondson finished second in the 500m time-trial to secure bronze, with Canada’s Tara Whitten fourth.

Trott said: “I can’t believe this is happening to me, I really can’t. I came into today not feeling as good as yesterday, and I was losing my head a bit between events because they weren’t going the way I wanted them to.

“To finish off with that 500m, I can’t believe it. I’m really happy.”

She added: “Paul Manning, my coach, got me to peak right on time. I couldn’t ask for much more from the coaching staff.

“They’ve helped me improve so much since the Worlds. It’s all thanks to the coaches really, and my family and friends are here too, and the support of the crowd...”

She was full of thanks for her parents, saying: “I couldn’t have done it without them.

“The amount of money they had to put in when I was younger, taking me here, there and everywhere, and my dad gave up his cricket.”