The gene pool

by Rick Johansen

I was very pleased to read that the Olympic cyclists Jason Kenny and Laura Trott were married yesterday. They seem such a grounded couple given that they are also global superstars, two of the greatest cyclists who ever lived. I was surprised to read that some media outlets said they had “married in secret”. No, they married in private. They didn’t bother to tell the media and why the hell should they?

If they had married in secret, we would never have seen the joyous wedding photographs, nor read quotes from the happy couple. I reckon some parts of the media – guess which parts? – were not told about the wedding in advance.

At least I hope they married in private and didn’t sell the story to one of the gossip magazines like Hello because that just invites trouble. Expose your private life for money and other media operators will say, with some justification, that you are fair game for oppressive coverage. You live by the sword and die by it.

I doubt that I shall ever have any dealings with Mr and Mrs Kenny in the future but I am very excited by what the future might bring and not just for them. Can you imagine the combined gene pool that they possess? Two of the greatest cyclists who ever lived – what could their offspring achieve? I know it doesn’t always work like that, but it’s an alarming prospect for a future Olympics.

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