Olympic champion Katy Marchant retires from elite cycling at 33

Katy Marchant has announced her retirement from elite cycling, according to Guardian Sport, bringing to a close a 13-year career that included an Olympic gold medal.

The 33-year-old was part of the British trio, alongside Emma Finucane and Sophie Capewell, who won the women's team sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

That same year proved the high point of her career on the track, as she added world and European titles to the Olympic gold within the space of twelve months.

Marchant's decision comes only a few months after she had spoken of an ambition to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, making the timing of her exit from the sport notable.

Announcing the end of her career, Marchant said: "I've achieved more than I could ever have dreamed of achieving."

She added that she was proud of what she had accomplished during her time in the sport, reflecting on a career that took her from junior competition to the top of the podium in Paris.

Her retirement removes one of the most experienced sprinters from the British set-up, with Finucane and Capewell, her team-sprint gold medal partners, expected to continue leading the squad's efforts on the international stage.

No further details on Marchant's future plans beyond cycling were included in the announcement, but her departure marks the end of an era for the British team sprint programme that delivered gold in Paris.