Philip Hindes
The explosive starter for Team GB's sprint squad, whose blistering opening laps delivered back-to-back Olympic gold medals in London and Rio.
Born 1992 (age 34)·British cyclist·Birthday: September 22·Millennials
Biography
Philip Hindes represents a very specific, crucial cog in the high-precision machine of team sprint cycling. Born in Germany to a British father, he initially raced for his birth country before switching allegiance to the British Cycling programme. His role was singular and pressure-packed: as the man in the starting gate for the three-lap team sprint, his job was to launch the trio with explosive power. At the 2012 London Olympics, his dramatic fall in the first round—and the controversial restart it prompted—became a major talking point, but nothing could overshadow the gold medal that followed. Four years later in Rio, he repeated the feat with a different set of teammates, proving his nerve and his power were no fluke. Hindes's career is defined by those first critical seconds, where his efforts set the stage for British track cycling dominance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Philip was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Philip Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Philip's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won Olympic gold in the men's team sprint at the 2012 London Games.
- Secured a second consecutive Olympic gold in the same event at the 2016 Rio Games.
- Was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours.
- Won a gold medal in the team sprint at the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships.
Did You Know?
He was born in Krefeld, Germany, and holds dual British-German nationality.
He famously fell in the first round of the 2012 Olympic team sprint, leading to a restart which the British team won.
He initially competed for Germany as a junior cyclist.
He retired from professional cycling in 2020 at the age of 27.
“My job is to launch us like a bullet; the start is everything.”
