Darren Kenny, Paralympic Cyclist

40 Years Ago Today

2010-03-17T20:52:20Z

Today is Darren's 40th Birthday!

Lets take an embarrassing look back at the years in a before they were famous kind of way.

Darren - Less than 1 year old.

Being held by his aunt.

Darren - around 2 years old.

My Brother went on to win 6 Paralympic Gold medals and all I got was this t-shirt.

School photo

Don't we look cute?

Oh no, the teenage years

Whatever!

Getting the racing bug

Winton race track

Junior tour of Ireland

Darren and the rest of the Fircroft team at the start of the Junior Tour of Ireland the year of the accident.

Well, if you've read the site, you know the rest of the story.

Doctor Darren

2009-11-02T16:15:02Z

Darren Kenny is to receive an honorary doctorate from Bournemouth University during annual Award Ceremonies to be held at the BIC on Tuesday, 3 November at 10.30am.

Darren, one of Dorset′s most decorated international sportsmen, will become an Honorary Doctor of Arts. The award recognises his achievements in cycling and for setting an inspirational example of determination and perseverance against the odds.

Darren joins representatives from the world of television, business, health and engineering in receiving Honorary Doctorates from BU. More than 4,500 graduates from the University's six academic schools will receive degrees, diplomas and professional qualifications at seven separate ceremonies over four days between Tuesday 3 and Friday 6 November at the BIC.

BT Paralympic World Cup 2009

2009-05-26T21:59:55Z

Last week Manchester Velodrome hosted the BT Paralympic World Cup Track Cycling events, previously known as the Visa Paralympics, the change of sponsor brought a few changes to event.

Previous events had been held at the begining of May rather than the end and this year saw the majority of riders competing in mixed classification events without any time adjustment based on classification.

Wednesday 20th May

3km Pursuit Qualifications (LC3/LC4/CP3/CP4)

The qualification was a close race with Japan's Ishii Masashi (CP4), in the end less than an eighth of a second between them. The final result meant that Darren and Ishii would be racing for Gold / Silver on Thursday with team mate Rik Waddon (CP3) racing for Bronze against Jiri Bouska (CP4) of the Czech Republic.

Thursday 21st May

1km Time Trial (LC3/LC4/CP3)

The 1km time trial really showed the UK's current dominance of Para-Cycling, with Darren taking Gold, Rik Waddon Silver and Simon Richardson Bronze with almost 6 seconds between Gold and Bronze.

3km Pursuit Final (LC3/LC4/CP3/CP4)

The final gave Darren his second Gold of the day on the track. The eighth of a second difference in the qualification opening up to over 3 seconds in the final. In a tough race Jiri beat Rik to take Bronze.

Overall it was a good day on the track for Team GB with Gold for Jody Cundy (LC2), Sarah Storey (LC1), Simon Jackson and pilot Barney Storey (B/VI) and Aileen McGlynn with new pilot Vicky Begg (B/VI).

Photo Slideshow from Thursday

Friday 22nd May

Team Sprint

To anyone that had seen the Paralympics the team was familiar; Darren Kenny, Jody Cundy and Mark Bristow. The team that took Gold in the Beijing Paralympics won Gold in Manchester almost 2 seconds ahead of the Czech Republic.

The final day saw more of Team GB's skill on the track with Jody Cundy setting a new World Record in the 200m flying start. Gold was also on the shoulders of Barney Storey/Simon Jackson, Aileen McGlynn/Vicky Begg and Storey Sarah.

Laureus World Sports Awards 2009

2009-04-18T17:52:58Z

Darren is honoured to be nominated for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability for the second year running.

Laureus and its Partners have made the decision that due to the current economic situation it would be inappropriate to stage a full-scale Laureus World Sports Awards Ceremony at this time.

A key focus for Laureus during 2009 will now be to support the funding and activities of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. There has been tremendous growth recently in the Laureus Foundation, despite the economic downturn, and Laureus will ensure that this is not only sustained but also increases in the future.

The winners of this year's Laureus World Sports Awards will now receive their Awards individually at a series of presentations during May and June.

Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: "This has been a very difficult decision, but we are painfully aware of the global problems caused by the current economic difficulties. It seemed to us, with so many people suffering, that this was the wrong time to be staging this event. This is the responsible thing to do and we are sure everyone will understand why we are doing this."

The full list of nominees for the 2009 Laureus World Sports Awards is:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year

Usain Bolt (Jamaica) - first man to win 100m, 200m & 4x100m Olympic gold medals in world records

Lewis Hamilton (UK) - youngest ever Formula One World Champion at 23 years and 300 days

Rafael Nadal (Spain) - won French Open, Wimbledon & Olympic gold medal to become tennis No.1

Michael Phelps (US) - won eight gold medals in a single Olympiad to overtake Mark Spitz's record

Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) - FIFA World Player of the Year, scored 42 goals for Manchester United

Valentino Rossi (Italy) - beat Giacomo Agostini's record 68 500cc wins, and won 6th senior world title

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

Tirunesh Dibaba (Ethiopia) -became first woman to win 5,000m & 10,000m double at same Olympics

Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia) - created her 24th world record in Beijing to win the pole vault gold medal

Lorena Ochoa (Mexico) - won seven tournaments in 2008, was almost $1m ahead on money list

Stephanie Rice (Australia) -won three swimming gold medals in Beijing; set 5 world records in 2008

Lindsey Vonn (US) - won Alpine World Cup title, also World Cup discipline leader in downhill

Venus Williams (US) - won her 5th Wimbledon title in 2008, also won Olympic doubles gold medal

Laureus World Team of the Year

Boston Celtics (US) - beat Los Angeles Lakers to win the NBA play-offs for a record 17th time

China Olympic Team - best ever Olympic result, led medals table with 51 gold, 21 silver, 28 bronze

GB Olympic Cycle Team (UK) - dominated the Beijing velodrome with 8 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze

Jamaica Olympic Sprint Team - beat US favourites for a near clean sweep of Olympic sprint medals

Manchester United (UK) - won third European Champions League and also English Premier League

Spain Football Team - won European Championship, their first major title for 44 years

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year

Rebecca Adlington (UK) - 19, unknown at the start of the year, won Olympic 400m & 800m freestlye

Novak Djokovic (Serbia) - 21, won his first Grand Slam tennis title at the Australian Open

Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) - 20, won first Grand Slam at French Open, was tennis World No.1 for 9 weeks

Anthony Kim (US) - 23, won two US PGA events, and was star of US Ryder Cup win

Sebastian Vettel (Germany)- youngest ever F1 Grand Prix winner, at 21 years, 73 days, at Monza

Zou Kai (China) - won three gymnastic gold medals in Beijing on his Olympic debut

Laureus World Comeback of the Year

Vitali Klitschko (Ukraine) - regained World Heavyweight Championship at 37 after four years out

Anna Meares (Australia) - won Olympic silver medal eight months after breaking neck in cycle crash

Greg Norman (Australia) - finished 3rd in British Open golf at the age of 53, while on his honeymoon

Matthias Steiner (Germany) - won weightlifting Olympic gold a year after his wife died in car crash

Maarten van der Weijden (Netherlands) - won Olympic swimming gold medal after beating leukaemia

Tiger Woods (US) - returned two months after serious knee injury to win US Open golf championship

Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability

Daniel Dias (Brazil) - 20, leading swimmer at Paralympics with 4 gold, 4 silver and 1 bronze medals

April Holmes (US) - world's fastest female amputee, won 100 metres at Paralympics

Darren Kenny (UK) - Paralympic cyclist who won 4 gold and 1 silver medals in Beijing.

Jonas Jacobsson (Sweden) - has won a shooting gold medal in the eight Paralympics since 1980

Teresa Perales (Spain) - won 3 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals in Paralympic swimming

Zhang Lixin (China) - became the local hero in Beijing with four wheelchair racing gold medals

Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year

Julien Absalon (France) - became first man to defend Olympic cross-country mountain bike title

Stephanie Gilmore (Australia) - won surfing world title in rookie year 2007, and also 2008

Aaron Hadlow (UK) - 19, won PKRA kiteboarding world tour for fifth straight time

Tanner Hall (US) - now the most successful Winter X Games athlete ever with seven gold medals

Kelly Slater (US) - At 36, legendary surfing master Kelly Slater won his ninth world title

Shaun White (US) - snowboarder, won Winter X Games Superpipe and bronze Slopestyle

For detailed biographies of nominees go to http://www.laureus.com/awards/2009/nominees

A panel of sports journalists and broadcasters from 112 countries voted for six nominees in each category. The winners will be selected in a secret ballot by 46 iconic sports stars including Jack Nicklaus, John McEnroe and Nadia Comaneci.

PIAM BROWN CHILDREN'S ONCOLOGY WARD 72 Miles 72 Holes

2009-04-10T18:39:38Z

On Friday June 26th 2009 Stuart Grace will be undertaking a marathon 72 miles of cycling and 72 holes of golf in one day in aid of the Piam Brown Ward, During the day he will cycle between and will play will rounds of golf at Dibden, Walhampton, Highcliffe and Paultons golf courses before the final round at Romsey GC.

Stuart has been raising money for charity since the 1970's. Darren is a strong supporter of the good work that the Piam Brown ward does for children with cancer. This year he has also donated a signed shirt from the Tour of Norway as a raffle prize.

For more information on how to donate please see the Piam Brown Gold Cycle Challenge website.

Happy Birthday Darren

2009-03-17T12:57:38Z

Well it has been a busy Year for Darren

There were the five Medals and two world records at the Beijing Paralympics
Received Sports Journalists' Association Award
Took part in a 24 Hour Cycling marathon
An appearance on Who wants to be a millionaire
Awarded an OBE
Set a new Athlete Hour Record

The embarrassing baby photos are being saved for next year.

The Pain is Temporary

2009-03-16T21:16:58Z

Darren, still recovering, talks about setting a new world record.

Going to London to Visit the Queen

2009-02-26T18:45:47Z

If you are in London tomorrow, why not pop down to Buckingham Palace. Darren is there in the morning to receive his OBE.

New UCI Record - Life on Mars Style

2009-02-15T09:12:48Z

Sam Tyler was hit by a car and ended up in 1973, Darren Kenny went the UCI Record AKA 'The Athletes Hours Record' route. The UCI Record forbids the use of many of the features that today's cyclists take for granted; tri-bars, solid wheels and aerodynamic hats. In there place are drop handlebars, spoked wheels and sausage hats. The bike is a machine that looks as if it was lifted straight from a photo of Eddy Merckx.

Originally the attempt, privately sponsored by BT, Space and Solutions of Christchurch, Dave Mellor Cycles, Halo Sports Management and Specialized Cycling Glasses, was scheduled to take place during the Beijing leg of the Track Cycling World Cup, but due to scheduling issues was moved to the Copenhagen leg. Originally due to start at 18:30 local time, the crash between Chris Hoy and Kévin Sireau delayed the start slightly to 19:00 local time. A small crowd stayed behind to cheer Darren on, he started slightly fast then settled into a steady pace. When the gun went at the end of the hour he had covered 40.516 kilometres, a new record.

Darren had always know it was going to be tough, with hardly any energry left to stand he collapsed onto Gary Brickley, his coach. A doctor came over to check on Darren and after some rest Darren came round enough to drink some water and to do a victory lap.

After the event Darren said: "That was seriously unpleasant but I am pleased with the distance. Originally we wanted to do the athletes record but first thought it better to get the other record first. With Team GB, it is all about the bike and all that so I wanted to go out there and do it without that excuse if you like. The bike was good and although I only got it from Terry (Dolan) last night, we got the position just right and it handled well, really smooth."

"Gary and I felt we needed something for me to focus on between Beijing and whenever and learn some new skills and looking back on it, it has been fun even though it doesn't feel very pleasant right now!"

The Athlete Hour

2009-02-02T14:00:37Z

Para-Cyclist Darren Kenny announced this week that he will be tackling the Para-Cycling Athletes Hour Record during the Copenhagen round of the Track World Cup on 14th February.

Darren, who is the current holder of the Absolute Hour Record at 41.817Km, is hoping to repeat the same feature as Chris Boardman and hold both records.

The attempt is being privately sponsored by Space and Solutions of Christchurch, Dave Mellor Cycles and Specialized Cycling Glasses.

Darren said: "The Danish organisers have been great, and I'm really grateful for the help and support I have been given for the attempt"

"While the effort required is pretty tough, the real difficulty is trying to stay that position. The arms, shoulders and neck take a real pounding; even riding in a straight line becomes a problem."

Official Opening of Finigan Centre

2009-01-27T20:01:53Z

On the 28th January 2009 Darren will be cutting the Ribbon to offically open the a new purpose-built low secure centre at the Finigan Centre Westbourne, Bournemouth, Dorset. The ceremony will take place at 14:40.

The Finigan Centre is part of the Dorset HealthCare NHS Foundation Trust and provides high quality care and treatment for people with severe learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Probably the best hour record in the world!

2009-01-24T16:37:01Z

Well the great news is that the Organisers of the Copenhagen World cup have agreed for us to make our attempt during their event. we go for it on Feb 14th at the end of play , so around 6.30pm.
After all the hard work by everyone involved it was a huge relief to finally have the go ahead. Now the fear of how painful it's going to be is starting to kick in !!
I'm hoping people will stay on to watch me, the power of an enthusiastic crowd should never be underestimated. It's so hard that I don't think that it's possible to do it without people there.
I have family in Copenhagen. I've not seen them for years so it will be great to catch up with them while I'm there.
Thanks to Gary, Louis, Chantale and everyone else involved.

Beijing No Go !

2009-01-13T19:28:56Z

Well on Friday we eventually got a reply from Beijing about the hour record. Unfortunately they turned us down as too many different organisation over there would be involved.
We've now asked the Danish if we can do it at their round , in Copenhagen , next month. Hopefully they'll say yes , I've only been to Denmark once and it was only for an hour and a half !
Space and Solutions (www.spaceandsolutions.com) have stepped in as a backer for the attempt , so everything now seems to be in place , except for A place !

Three More Letters; Darren Kenny O.B.E

2008-12-31T00:01:00Z

Darren has received an O.B.E in the New Year Honours List 2009 in recognition For services to Disabled Sport.

Darren is over the moon. "I have known since the middle of November and it has been quite difficult to keep it a secret."

Darren is now the most successful British Paralympic cyclist, having won four golds and one silver medal in Beijing and two golds and one silver medal in Athens in 2004.

For a full list see http://www.honours.gov.uk/lists/2009honours.aspx.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

2008-12-27T18:05:01Z

If you are out on Monday night set your video. Darren is taking part in a Gold Medallists from the Beijing Olympics Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? special.

Darren and paralympic swimmer Liz Johnson are raising money for the Piam Brown Child Cancer Ward and Dreamflight. Also appearing are Rower Zac Purchase and sailor Sarah Webb answering questions to raise funds for the Dyslexia Association and the RNLI and rower Steve Williams and athlete Christine Ohuruogu play to raise money for Livability and SportsAid.