Join us for International Women’s Day to celebrate some of our heroes: today is all about Dame Kelly Holmes, double Olympic gold medallist and athletics icon
The nation roared with delight in 2004 when Dame Kelly Holmes won her second gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games, but it had taken Kelly over 10 years of hard work to achieve this childhood dream
Athletics fans will never forget Kelly’s double gold medal win in 2004, where she dared to do what few dream of and won the 800m and 1,500m on the track at the Olympics. As the nation jumped o their sofas, Kelly established herself as one of the most formidable runners the UK has known.
Her global medal haul included seven golds, eight silvers and four bronzes. Following such a legendary performance in 2004, she won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, became the European Athlete of the Year and received a Damehood from the Queen.
When she was 18, she joined the army, where she eventually became a physical training instructor and received an MBE for her military service. Kelly’s trajectory to the top of world sport revealed a determined, strong woman who became an inspiration to thousands of other women and athletes. She had to fight back a fter repeated injuries that severely a ffected her mental health.
With double Olympic gold, Kelly retired from international competition, setting up the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust to inspire young people. Through the support of world-class athletes, the trust helps disadvantaged young people to get their lives on track.
Read Kelly’s interview with Women’s Running here.
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