BIOGRAPHY

A double Olympic gold medallist, Kelly Holmes became only the second woman in history to claim the 800m and 1500m titles in the same Games.

After winning the English Schools' tournament, Kelly chose to pursue a career in the army. She only decided to return to the track after watching athletes on television who she had competed against in her schooldays.

A year later Kelly won a 1500m AAA race, followed by her first sub-two minute win in Oslo and then victory in the Commonwealth Games. Her career nearly came to a premature end at the World Championships when she limped off with a serious achilles injury - but she fought her way back to form in Sydney, recovered from illness in time to win in Manchester and then earned the nation's admiration with her remarkable achievement in 2004 in Athens.

Kelly Holmes was awarded an MBE for services to the British Army, after serving as a physical training instructor for nine years. Now Dame Kelly, she is Vice President of the Women's Sports Foundation, Ambassador for London 2012 and patron of several charities. She is also author of a clutch of books, including Black, White & Gold and Just Go For It - 6 steps for success.

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