Trott's childhood health scare

Cyclist Laura Trott's family have spoken about how they find it hard to believe she has become a double Olympic gold medalist after they feared she would not survive when she was born with a collapsed lung.

Trott, 20, yesterday joined other athletes including Dame Kelly Holmes and swimmer Rebecca Adlington in an elite club of British females to have won double gold at a single Games.

But Glenda Trott said she feared the worst when her daughter was delivered by Caesarean section in April 1992 and she was told Laura had a collapsed lung.

She spent six and a half weeks in hospital during which time she and husband Adrian were not allowed to touch the baby as she was fed through a tube.

But the plucky youngster, who also suffers from asthma, is set to be remembered as one of the stars of London 2012 after winning two gold medals, only the second member of Team GB to win two golds in this Games after fellow cyclist Jason Kenny.

Mrs Trott, 50, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, said: "To look at her today riding round the track is just amazing. She's just got so much determination.

"I just can't believe she's there."

Trott's parents were told their daughter would need to take part in sport to help regulate her breathing and aged eight she began cycling when her mother took it up to lose weight.

Twelve years later, Trott won gold in the women's team pursuit on Saturday and yesterday won an individual title, claiming gold in the women's omnium.