Glorious gold: Queally celebrates victory in Sydney ©Mike Powell/ALLSPORT

Prior to the Sydney 2000 Olympics, no one had heard of him. Now, Jason Queally stands on the verge of becoming one of the most famous cyclists in the world.

Queally, from Lancaster in England, shot to fame at the Sydney Olympics in September 2000 when he won a gold medal in the one-kilometre time trial. His time of one minute 1.609 seconds was an Olympic record.

The next night, he took silver in the team pursuit, making him the first British Olympian since Sebastian Coe in 1984 to win gold and silver at the same games. He returned home to a hero’s welcome, and a lot more well known than when he left.

For a nation unfamiliar to cycling success, Queally’s achievements were a revelation.

His success was also a surprise to him as he only took up the sport five years ago, previously representing British Universities at water polo.

 

	Fast lane: Queally drives for the finish line ©Ross Kinnaird/ALLSPORT

However, more success followed a next month after Sydney. Queally competed in the World Championships in Manchester, winning a bronze medal in the one-kilometre time trial.

His accomplishments are extraordinary as he nearly never made it back to the track after an accident in 1997. An 18in/45cm long splinter pierced his body when he fell during a race at the Meadowbank velodrome.

The wooden fragment sliced into his back and penetrated his chest, nearly killing him. Although he returned to competitive cycling within a few months, the mental scars took longer to heal.

Prior to October's land speed record attempt, Queally will compete in September’s Cycling World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, to ensure he is in the optimal physical condition.

- Ash Potterton