TWITTER users who share a name with Olympic gold medallist Jason Kenny have been inundated with congratulatory messages as fans mix up their social media accounts.
The 28-year-old cycling superstar from Bolton made history at Rio 2016 after winning his fifth gold in the men’s sprint final against Scot Callum Skinner.
But well-wishers keen to praise Laura Trott’s fiancé ended up getting his profile confused with those who have a similar name, including a Canadian politician.
The mix up was taken in jest and provoked much hilarity online.
Calgary MP Jason Kenney tweeted: “Thanks for the implausible congrats on #Olympic cycling gold, but the credit goes to my infinitely more talented UK namesake @JasonKenny107.”
He later joked: “The thought of me in lycra is enough to cause people to poke-out their mind’s eye!”
A Virginia-based Jason Kenney commented: “Congrats to @JasonKenny107 on Olympic gold! And to @jkenney, @Jasonkenny, and every other Jason Kenn(e)y getting praise on social media!”
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Meanwhile, a Bolton-based lad called Jason Kenny addressed his namesakes, writing: “Ha, now you know how we feel!”
Olympian Kenny will get the opportunity to match fellow cyclist Sir Chris Hoy’s six gold medals in the men’s keirin finals tomorrow.
Fans have called for the shy biking legend to be knighted following his achievements, but his dad Michael said becoming a sir is the “last thing” on his down-to-earth son’s mind.
He told the Evening Standard: “That’s not for me to say whether he should get a knighthood, I don’t know if it will happen.
“But that’s the last thing that’s going through his mind, he’s just ordinary Jason.”
Michael said he was “numb” with pride after last night’s performance, and praised Jason and fellow Olympic champion Laura as a “great couple”.
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