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Dame Kelly Holmes
Born: Pembury, Kent Date of Birth: 19.04.70 Nationality: British Dame Kelly Holmes is one of Britain’s most recognisable and admired athletes. She has won Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medals, and added the ultimate sporting trophy to her cabinet at the Athens Olympic Games – Double Olympic Gold. Kelly, however is not only known for her medals and records, but is known for her gutsy, committed approach to her athletics and her ability to overcome injury and illness and still stay at the top of her discipline. Her strength and courage has won her many fans both within the sport and outside of it. She started her athletics career as a promising athlete when a junior and won the 1,500m at the English Schools Championships, but chose to give up her early athletics career in favour of a career in the army. She signed up a few months before her 18th Birthday and over the next 9 . years worked her way quickly up the ranks until she was a Sergeant. She joined with the aim of making Officer rank, but once she started to run again, initially for the forces, and started to win major titles she faced a really tough decision – army or running. In 1997 she took the massive step and left the army and made athletics her focus and career. Her desire to be the best demands that she gives 100%, something she does in everything she takes on. She has the fundamental element for success - the ability to be focused. She was awarded the MBE in 1998 for services to the British Army and was honoured by the Queen in the 2005 New Year’s honours with a Damehood. Kelly retired from competition in the autumn of 2005 but remains heavily involved in the sport, running her On Camp with Kelly initiative where she mentors a group of promising junior international female athletes. Among her many activities Kelly has also written her autobiography, Black, White & Gold; appeared in the Celebrity TV Series, Dancing on Ice; and has been appointed by the government as the first National School Sport Champion. Dame Kelly Holmes – Achievements 1994 Gold Commonwealth Games 1500m Silver European Championships 1500m 1995 Silver 1500m and Bronze 800m World Championships UK record at 800m – 1:56.21 UK record at 1000m – 2:32.80 1996 4th Olympic Games 800m 1997 UK record at 1500m – 3:58.07 UK record at 1000m – 2:32.55 1998 Silver 1500m Commonwealth Games 2000 Bronze 800m Olympic Games 2001 Silver 800m Goodwill Games 2002 Gold 1500m Commonwealth Games and Bronze 800m European Championships 2003 Silver 1500m World Indoor Championships and British record of 4:02:66 Silver in the 800m Outdoor World Championships 2004 European record at 1000m indoors 2:32.96 DOUBLE OLYMPIC GOLD – 800m and 1500m - new British record for 1500m – 3:57:90 1st World Athletics Final – 1500m and winner of Performance of the Year Award at the IAAF Gala Won BBC Sports Personality of the Year European Athlete of the Year 2004 2005 Honoured with a Damehood by the Queen in the New Year’s Honours Winner of the Laureus World Sports Woman of the Year Award |
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