Laura Kenny reveals sport's impact on her fertility struggles

In the United Kingdom, Dame Laura Kenny, a celebrated athlete and the most successful female track cyclist, shared her pregnancy news on New Year's Eve. The announcement followed a challenging period of fertility struggles that included a miscarriage in 2021 and an ectopic pregnancy in 2022 requiring surgery. She and her husband, fellow Olympian Sir Jason Kenny, have two sons, Albie, aged seven, and Monty, who is one year old. They have faced emotional challenges throughout their journey towards expanding their family. Dame Laura revealed this news via a touching video on Instagram featuring her sons wearing special T-shirts that proclaimed they would be big brothers. She emotionally stated that the desire to have another child had consumed her, leading to feelings of sadness during a lengthy 18-month struggle to conceive. The support she received from her followers and fellow athletes on social media highlighted the admiration for both her and her husband amidst their personal tribulations. In addition to sharing her happiness, Dame Laura candidly discussed the toll that elite sports had on her fertility, questioning whether her intensive training had impacted her ability to conceive. Despite her success on the cycling track, she expressed worries regarding her fertility associated with elite athleticism, a concern echoed by medical professionals. Insights from experts suggest that high levels of physical exertion can disrupt menstrual cycles in female athletes, which can affect ovulation and, consequently, fertility. Dame Laura's journey to conception was particularly arduous, especially towards the birth of her second son, Monty, which she described as a challenging experience. Having retired from competitive cycling in March 2024 and prioritizing family over the demands of sports, she felt that pursuing Olympic qualification was not worth the sacrifices involved. This retirement decision surprised many fans but was made with deep personal reflections on the future she wished to build with her family. Her announcement has been met with congratulations and overwhelming support from her peers, reflecting the strong community in sports she is part of.