Track cycling great Dame Laura Kenny has been appointed Commonwealth Games England (CGE) president.

At 32, she is the youngest president in the organisation’s history and third consecutive woman to hold the role after Dame Kelly Holmes and Dame Denise Lewis.

Kenny is Britain’s most successful female Olympian, winning five golds and a silver, in addition to seven world titles and 14 European golds.

She competed at three Commonwealth Games, winning gold at Glasgow 2014, and gold and bronze at Birmingham 2022 – the last medals before she retired in March 2024.

CGE says Kenny will be a “key ambassador” in the build-up to the next Games in Glasgow in 2026, while its chair John Steele adds the former cyclist will “play a crucial role in helping us protect the future” of the Commonwealth movement.

Glasgow will host a scaled-down version of the multi-sport event, which was due to be held in Victoria, but the Australian state withdrew due to rising costs.

“I love the unique feel of the event and I’m thrilled to work with and support England’s athletes as their prepare for Glasgow and future Commonwealth Youth Games too,” said mother-of-two Kenny.

“I have devoted my life to cycling and while that sport will always be my passion, it is great to have the opportunity to pass on some of my experience to athletes from a wider range of sports.”

Steele added: “Her passion for the Games is clear and her insights will be invaluable. She is one of our nation’s greatest athletes and that experience at the very highest level of sport will inspire the next generation of Team England and assist the CGE in supporting them.

“She brings invaluable experience to our senior leadership team as we look to the future with renewed confidence.”

March is Commonwealth Day and marks 500 days to go until the opening ceremony of the Glasgow Games.