Quick Facts
Biography
Shane John Kelly OAM (born 7 January 1972) is a former professional Australian track racing cyclist. Kelly specialized in the men's 1000 m time trial, commonly known as the Kilo. Kelly announced his retirement from international competition at the end of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Kelly is now working in motivational speaking, team building, and cycling fitness and training programs.
Cycling career
Kelly began cycling at the age of five. He achieved success as a junior, winning the junior Kilo at the Australian National Track Championships.
Kelly has competed in five Olympic Games. He won a silver medal in the 1000 m time trial at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Kelly is well known for an infamous mishap in the cycling at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Going into the kilo event, he was the world record holder and strong favourite. However his foot slipped from the pedal at the start, and he did not start racing. Kelly won a bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics, and came fourth at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Also in 2004 he competed in the Keirin event, winning a bronze medal. He was fourth across the line, but another cyclist was disqualified for dangerous riding. The 1000m time trial event was removed from the Olympic program after 2004. At the 2008 Summer Olympics Kelly came fourth in the Keirin.
Kelly was the world champion in the kilo for three consecutive times, from 1995 to 1997. He also competed at the Commonwealth Games, winning gold in the 1000 m time trial in 1994 and 1998. Kelly has also won a World Championship in the Team Sprint in 1996.
Awards and honours
Kelly was awarded the title of Australian Cyclist of the Year in 1996, and Australian Male Track Cyclist of the Year in 1996, 1997, 1998 and 1999. n 2001, he was inducted into the Australian Institute of Sport 'Best of the Best'. He was also awarded the medal of the Order of Australia on Australia Day in 2004.
