Kenny becomes Team GB's first double gold medallist

Jason Kenny celebrates his second gold medal Credit: PA Images

Britain's Jason Kenny became the host nation's first double gold medallist of London 2012 today 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.

As he pointed to the roaring crowd, Kenny's coaches jumped in the air and hugged one another in the centre of the Velodrome.

Just when fans thought they could make no more noise, Kenny took off his helmet and the crowd went wild.

The double Olympic champion completed another victory circuit, waving to fans before jumping off his bike and running up the 12-degree incline of the track to take a Union flag from fans and pose for celebratory photos.

Before returning to Team GB's stand in the centre of the venue, Kenny shook hands with his beaten rival, France's world champion Gregory Bauge.

In the tactical final, Kenny kept a constant eye on Bauge as the pair crawled around the first one-and-a-half laps of the 250m circuit before unleashing all the speed they could find.

Earlier, Kenny, wearing a full visor covering his eyes, thumped the air as he came from behind to win the first round of the best-of-three final.

The crowd, who cheered him round every inch of the track, were on their feet clapping during a series of victory laps.

Kenny, who was the first Briton to be honoured in the Velodrome in February, was watched by his father Michael tonight as he took home gold in the men's sprint final.

His success looks set to be officially marked in his hometown of Bolton, where the council has said his achievements will be formally recognised after the Games.

The one rider per nation rule introduced by the International Cycling Union and International Olympic Committee weakened the field and saw Kenny selected ahead of Sir Chris, who took gold in the event in Beijing four years ago.

With the temperature turned up to increase speeds and the air trapped in to prevent any unwanted breezes, the roars of the crowd rebounded off every surface as the atmosphere built for the climax.