Rio 2016 Olympics: Partner of Kiwi cyclist Linda Villumsen dragged into sibling controversy with Laura Trott

The partner of New Zealand Olympic cyclist Linda Villumsen is in the middle of a sibling controversy which has arisen after Britain's extraordinary success on the Rio track.

Rio golden girl Laura Trott is stoutly backing her Christchurch-based sister Emma, whose interview from New Zealand on British television has been described as "awkward".

The Mirror said Emma Trott had been branded as "bitter" and "jealous" following an interview on Good Morning Britain.

"However, the roots of this morning's awkward TV appearance may lie in the personal tragedies which led Emma to quit the sport both she and her younger sibling love," the Mirror continued.

The 26-year-old Emma Trott retired two years ago, after struggling to combine her sports career and long term relationship with Villumsen, a member of the New Zealand road cycling team in Rio and the current world time trial champion. Emma also dealt with the death of two close friends.

Tweets from Emma during the Rio Games caused sideways glances - the Mirror said they included describing Laura as the "smaller uglier one of the family". She also joked about charging for interviews, saying later that she was "always happy" to talk about her famous sister.

Laura was born prematurely, suffered from asthma and a collapsed lung, and was pointed towards sport to help her breathing. She and boyfriend Jason Kenny are Rio's glamour couple, taking their combined gold medal haul over three Olympics to 10.

The Mirror said Emma's "lack of enthusiasm for her sister's win was immediately apparent to viewers, who shared their thoughts on Twitter." But Laura has tweeted that any suggestions of a sisterly spat are nonsense.

"If only you people knew. She is one of my biggest supporters She's been there for me through thick and thin. She was my idol growing up," Laura tweeted.

In the TV interview, Emma said: "Laura's not worked any harder than anybody else has.

"The amount of times that Laura kicked up a fuss on hills because dad and I were dropping her [and she said], 'if you don't slow down I'm going to ring mum, she can come and pick me up'.

"And I think back to them moments and I think how on earth was she the one that made it to be Olympic champion you know.

"It's incredible the amount that you go through, and the mental toughness, the stress, the anxiety, the can't have the Christmas dinners etc etc. Sport is the only thing you do 24 hours, seven days a week, everyone else gets weekends, that doesn't exist for a full time athlete."

1/3 Reading some nasty messages re my sister this morning.. Bitter, Jelous? If only you people knew! She is one of my biggest supporters

— Dame Laura Kenny (@LauraKenny31) August 17, 2016

To me I am just her sister! I am not a 'hero' a 'celebrity'.. Shes been there for me through thick and thin!! She was my idol growing up..

— Dame Laura Kenny (@LauraKenny31) August 17, 2016

Yes she was working while I raced! I'm sure a lot of people who care about me were? I love my sister to the moon, so all u nasty people #shh

— Dame Laura Kenny (@LauraKenny31) August 17, 2016

I love you @EmmaTrott1989 thats all that matters right 😚 X

— Dame Laura Kenny (@LauraKenny31) August 17, 2016

Meanwhile, the Telegraph reports that it was hardly love at first sight when Laura Trott and Kenny met six years ago.

Laura said: "I didn't like him, I really didn't. If he was in a room with me he'd just sit there; he wouldn't come up to me."

Laura pls don't waste your breath on nasty online comments. You (& the old man) are superstars and have made us all so proud.

— Jonny Gould 💙 (@JonnyMGould) August 17, 2016

these sad people clearly have nothing going on in their lives. Ignore em

— Rammyrascal (@rammyrascal) August 17, 2016