Becky James

last updated 19 May 2021

Date of birth: 29/11/91

From: Abergavenny, Wales, Great Britain

Team: Great Britain

Becky James's track sprinting career has been frustratingly interrupted by injury and illness. She missed out on a place at the London Olympics but bounced back the following year to win four medals across four sprint disciplines (including two world titles), something only Anna Meares had previously achieved.

A disappointing campaign at the 2014 track world championships in Cali was followed by her pulling out of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow due to injury.

A tentative return to competition in 2015 saw James face competition among her fellow Great Britain track sprinters to fill the available places in the nation's line-up for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

At the 2016 World Championships in London, James placed third in the keirin, a key selection event for the 2016 Olympics. Subsequently, she was handed a ride in Rio and will contest the keirin and sprint. GB did not qualify a place for the women's team sprint.

Latest

World titles expected of British track team in Cali

British track team race at the UCI track cycling world championships in Cali, Colombia this week. Shane Sutton is keen to manage the expectation on this very young team.

Becky James and her fightback to fitness

Following her stunning performance at the 2013 Track World Championships in Belarus where she won four medals in the four sprint events, James has suffered more than one career threatening episode. We interviewed her at the start of her winter track racing campaign that has now heralded a bronze medal in the keirin.

By Richard Abraham Published 4 March 16
Becky James and Katy Marchant progress to 1/8 final of track sprint

Team GB pair of Becky James and Katy Marchant both came through their track sprint rounds to progress at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

By Jack Elton-Walters Published 14 August 16

Double Olympic silver medallist Becky James retires from cycling to concentrate on cake-making business

Double world champion and two-time Olympic silver medallist Becky James has announced that she is retiring to concentrate on her cake-making business.

By Henry Robertshaw Published 17 August 17
Silver for Becky James in women's keirin in Rio; Elis Ligtlee takes gold

Britain's Becky James secures silver medal in the women's keirin at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games

By Nigel Wynn Published 13 August 16
Becky James out of Commonwealth Games

Welsh sprinter out of Commonwealth Games with a knee injury

By Simon Richardson Published 27 June 14

Becky James in favour of 'great motivator' Shane Sutton returning to British Cycling

Both Becky James and Katy Marchant would be prepared to speak to the independent panel investigating British Cycling's culture.

By Chris Marshall-Bell Published 19 August 16
Becky James: Finding the right balance between life and cycling

Managing the competing pressures of work, training and family life is never easy. We talk to recent retiree Becky James about how happiness requires hard choices - Photos by Daniel Gould/Yuzuru Sunada/Graham Watson

By Nigel Wynn Published 14 January 18
Team GB track cyclists show off their Olympic kit

Track cyclists were at the NEC in Birmingham this week to pick up their Olympic Games kit and pose for these photos

By Stuart Clarke Published 15 July 16

Laura Trott second in omnium on final day of track worlds

By Simon Richardson Published 3 March 14

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Becky James

Latest

World titles expected of British track team in Cali

Becky James and her fightback to fitness

Becky James and Katy Marchant progress to 1/8 final of track sprint

Double Olympic silver medallist Becky James retires from cycling to concentrate on cake-making business

Silver for Becky James in women's keirin in Rio; Elis Ligtlee takes gold

Becky James out of Commonwealth Games

Becky James in favour of 'great motivator' Shane Sutton returning to British Cycling

Becky James: Finding the right balance between life and cycling

Team GB track cyclists show off their Olympic kit

Laura Trott second in omnium on final day of track worlds

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