There is a long list of British Olympians who would ordinarily be thinking about calling it a day after the Tokyo Games.

Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny, Tom Daley, Max Whitlock, Liam Heath and Jade Jones have all hinted they might be willing to carry on in their sports knowing that the next Olympics is just three years away.

The year-long delay to the Tokyo Games means that the four-year Olympic cycle has been cut to just three – making the Paris Games in 2024 relatively close for athletes thinking about when they might bow out.

The most decorated GB Olympian, Jason Kenny, is now 33 and said after his seventh gold medal: “Before today I had all but given up, I was counting my career in days and races as opposed to years, but maybe I have bought myself more time now.”

Madison gold medal winner Laura Kenny and the other half of cycling’s power couple said: “I can’t see myself quitting anytime soon.”

At 28 years old Olympic champion Tom Daley told Sky News he feels like he is still peaking in his diving career and that Paris is very tempting.

He said: “I hear of rumours through the grapevine that they might put in the mixed synchro events or a team event into diving, which would mean three more events.

“That might be worth sticking around for because I could then be involved in three or four events.

“Over the next year I’ll make the decision but at the moment my body is doing alright so I don’t know why I would quit now but it’s also nice to be an Olympic champion.

“When you have that feeling, you also want to do it again.”

Taekwondo star Jade Jones who lost out in the first round of her Olympic competition in Japan has said that after her disappointment: “This is the feeling that will fuel me to rise again better and stronger.”

Gymnast Max Whitlock who retained his Olympic title in Tokyo told Sky News: “Before I came to Tokyo I kind of looked into the future and you know I really wanted to keep on going until Paris.

“It’s a three-year cycle that actually helps me, I’m 28 so each year that goes by it gets harder and harder every single year.

“Paris coming round in three years’ time is definitely better than a four year cycle – I still feel like I have got more in the bank.”

The added bonus of Paris is just how close the Games will be for British friends and family to get to.

Packed venues will mean that the Olympic Games will feel much more like they should do and will be worth hanging on for.

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