Shane Kelly
Australian track cycling legend.
Profile
One of Australia’s greatest cyclists, Shane Kelly was carried around the local Ararat cycling track in his father’s arms when he was only a couple of months old.
Previous experience
Born into a family of keen sportspeople, he first got onto a bike at the ripe old age of four, competing in events around the recreation reserve, Kokoda Park. Rising from the junior ranks with his focus on representing his country, Kelly made international headlines when he claimed a silver medal in the 1000m time trial at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona. This was the beginning of a stellar international career spanning an amazing two decades. Kelly competed in five Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games, and 14 World Championships and held a top three world ranking for an incredible 14 years in succession.
His greatest achievement was at the 1995 World Championships where he won gold in the 1km time trial and in doing so smashed the world record, earning the nickname ‘Minuteman’! His time of 1.00.613s from a standing start has only just been eclipsed, by another Australian, almost 20 years on.
1996 was a year of bitter disappointment when almost certain victory at the Olympic Games in Atlanta was dashed in a second when his foot pulled from the pedal at the start of the race. However he went on to win even greater admiration from his fans by taking the mishap in his stride and vowing to carry on and take out back-to-back world championships. Shane refocused four weeks later to win two gold medals in the 1996 World Championships, taking out the 1000m time trial for the second consecutive year and winning the team sprint event with a world record time!
Kelly continued his ‘Kilo’ time trial dominance by winning a third straight world title in Perth in 1997. It wasn’t without a few hurdles to overcome as Shane had broken his shoulder and hurt his back badly in the lead up to the championships. His fitness was well underdone, but it was his mental strength and focus that enabled him to rise to the top again!
Awards:
• Awarded an OAM in 2004 for service to cycling as a competitor and through support for the development of junior riders
• 1996 Australian Cyclist of the Year
• 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Australian Male Track Cyclist of the Year
• 1995 AIS Athlete of the Year
• 1995 Young Australian of the Year (Sport)
• 2000 Australian Sports Medal
• 1995, 1996, 1997 Governors Award
• Named in AIS 25 Best of Best
• Awarded Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary)
