Track cyclists Kadeena Cox and Rhianna Parris-Smith didn’t have many black athletes to look up to in the velodrome when starting out. So, they became the representation they wanted to see.

Since meeting as part of the KC Academy, the two cyclists have become close friends on and off the track and gone on to incredible sporting success.

From Cox's four Paralympic golds in the velodrome and three medals on the athletics track, to Parris-Smith's fledging track career that now consists of a European team sprint silver, they are two of England's leading names on two wheels.
 
This Black History Month, we spoke to Cox and Parris-Smith together to talk through representation, their ambitions to inspire a new generation of black cyclists and hopes for a first Commonwealth Games at Glasgow 2026.
  
Do you remember the first time we met and what were your first impressions of each other?
 
RP-S
We first met in Loughborough. And you casually brought out your MasterChef trophy! Do you remember that? You just pulled it out of your bag.
 
KC
No! I feel like someone would have asked me to bring it or something! I wouldn't have just brought that with me.
 
RP-S
I'm not too sure. But yeah it got whipped out. I remember you being nice, crazy but good. You were and are very supportive and you were on that day. We could relate to a lot of things so it was all good and positive things. We've only flourished from then on.
 
KC
I liked you. I thought you were a good egg. Driven and passionate and it's been nice to watch your journey since then.

Who did you first look up to for representation when you first started cycling?
 
KC
It's a tricky one. I grew up in athletics where there is obviously a lot of representation especially from people who look like me. If you want to grow up and be something then you have to see it. You had all these girls coming through and I used to train at the same venue as Jess Ennis, and they really inspired me. But when it came to cycling, there was nothing for me to really relate to. I was just getting on a bike and doing my thing. I looked at Vicki Pendleton as a sprinter but there was nothing we had similar other than we were both fast.
 
RP-S
I came through athletics as well. When I came into cycling there was only really you to look up to and I didn't have that much exposure to you. I have plenty now but back in the day there wasn't any. Pivotal moments for me were just during London 2012 with Chris Hoy and Laura Trott. I couldn't relate to them, but I didn't really think anything else of it to be honest.
 
Do you have any favourite interactions from meeting young black athletes who are starting out in sport?
 
RP-S
When the youth and junior nationals were on, there was a girl who came up to me and was really excited to meet me, which I hadn't really experienced before. It was in that moment when I realised that 'damn it really does make a difference representing an ethnic minority'. That's kind of the only experience I've had with it but it was a really nice wholesome moment.
 
KC
I've had quite a few lovely interactions. But do I have a favourite? I remember riding my bike in the area I grew up in in Chapeltown, Leeds and I saw a group of people with bikes and hi-vis, so I went over to see what they were doing. One of the girls got so excited and it was so nice to see that. They had started this cycling club in the community because of what I had done at Tokyo 2020. But then this sounds cringey, but some of my moments with you Rhianna have been the best. When you were like 'oh my god, I'm with Kadeena Cox', it was so funny because now we're just like sisters.
 
RP-S
I'm past that now by the way! I still think you're a cool athlete, but I just won't big you up to you now. Maybe to other people but not to you.
 
Both of you have been part of panels win advancing anti-racism in cycling and making change in sport. What is one of the most impactful moments that you remember from a panel?
 
RP-S
The passion. The passion in the room is always unbelievable. There are a lot of people who want to make a change but it's about finding the right people to help us do that. I have felt a lot of togetherness in those rooms, and it has really stuck with me. You come away from that evening feeling really good.
 
KC
For me, it was the panel we did with Justin Williams [Belizean-American cyclist]. In the cycling space, it's very rare that I am in a room where I am not the minority. To be in a room where we are the majority and everyone was together in wanting to drive cycling for the black community and create change, was amazing. We didn't have time to answer all the questions and that in itself showed how much people want this, we just need to help the needle move.
 
What more needs to be done in providing representation in cycling?
 
KC
It's a tricky one because you want to start with the elite side, and we're getting there with me, you and Kye [Whyte], because you want that representation at the top to give kids someone to look up to. But then I also think it's really important to have that grassroots feeding through. Having coaches who have a similar background and can be there to encourage kids and know what they're going through if they're from disadvantaged areas or falling into crime. People need to go out and reach into those areas to be able for that to funnel through.
 
But Rhianna is part of my Academy 'KC Academy', which is trying to get more people from similar backgrounds into cycling. What do you think are the next steps for the Academy?
 
RP-S
That's a big question that! I would say taking it back to grassroots again because we have a lot of people in this building who can help us with the KC Academy. We almost need to partner with British Cycling for example, sitting in meetings. It would be great to see that collaboration. We just need a reboot because there are great things coming from that Academy.
 
KC
For me, one of the most exciting things is the prospect of the Commonwealth Games and having both me and you there. That's actually a nice story and the journey itself is a nice story and something we can use to inspire the next generation. The more people you have on your roster, the more chance you can get people on the programme. Although we are putting a lot of work into you! That is the plan.
 
Glasgow 2026 is actually just around the corner now. What would it mean to you both to go to your first Commonwealth Games?
 
RP-S
It's going to be really cool. I got on the squad when the Commonwealths were last going on and when everyone went off to the Games, I saw all the behind the scenes and so it will be nice to actually be part of it as well. I think for the Commonwealth Games for us as well, we always think of our heritage, which makes it a little bit conflicting, but I'm really excited to be going - pending selection - and experience it all in Scotland. And to have it side by side with you would be pretty cool too.
 
KC
For me, it’s slightly different. I feel like I am doing everything in my power to get to this Games. I was selected for my first one back in 2018 and unfortunately had to pull out due to injury. I mean I literally had the kit but have never used any of it. I refused to wear it if I had never actually been. Then in 2022, I didn't get to go as an athlete, but I was part of the stadium announcement team in athletics, and then did the baton relay. So, I've been a part of it in so many different ways but I'm ready to be involved as an athlete now. I just want to go and get my tyres on the track or spikes on the track.
 
RP-S
Tyres on the track!

KC
I thought that was a really good reference!