Harry Kent

Career At the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, Kent won the gold medal in the men's 1 km time trial, with his time of 1:08.69 establishing a new Commonwealth Games record. It was his country's first gold medal in cycling at the Commonwealth Games, and was one of two golds that New Zealand won at that year's Games (the other was by Bruce Biddle in the road race). He finished in fourth place in the sprint and sixth in the 10 mile scratch race.

Several weeks later, Kent competed at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Leicester. He secured silver in the men's 1 km time trial, This was New Zealand's first medal at the world track championships. In recognition of his achievements that year, Kent was named New Zealand Sportsman of the Year,

Kent competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics in the men's 1 km time trial but did not start in the men's sprint. He ran a fruit and vegetable market, He was one of the two guests of honour when the Wellington Velodrome was reopened in December 2003, together with Sarah Ulmer.

Kent ran again as city councillor in 2016, after engaging in a protracted legal dispute with the council over the commercial assessment of his business. He was honoured by Cycling New Zealand that same year on its Wall of Fame at the Cambridge Avantidrome.

Personal life Kent had four children: Heidi, Harry James Dale, Josephine and Michelle. Harry James helped his father manage Trentham Village Market. Kent spent his entire life in the suburb of Trentham in Upper Hutt.

Kent died on 24 August 2021. He was 74, and was in poor health as a result of two strokes he suffered in the years leading up to his death.