My Olympic highlight - Basildon professional cyclist Russell Hampton (From Echo)

My Olympic highlight - Basildon professional cyclist Russell Hampton

11:05am Wednesday 18th July 2012 in Sport

RUSSELL Hampton says watching fellow cyclist Jason Queally win gold inside the velodrome at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 is a moment he will not forget.

Hampton, 23, who rides for Team Raleigh, said Queally’s win in the 1km race was one of the main factors in kickstarting the boom in British cycling we are seeing today.

“Sydney was the first Olympics I really remember and seeing Queally win the kilo was fantastic.

“But it’s not just cycling that I’ve taken inspiration from. I think you can get it from any sport, that’s why I love the Olympics. It gives you the opportunity to watch other sportspeople giving it everything.

“I remember staying up to 2am just to watch Steve Redgrave win his fifth gold medal at Sydney. That was a big moment. And then at the last Games at Beijing, watching Usain Bolt was something else!”