Dame Kelly Holmes is a celebrated British athlete and motivational speaker. She has inspired millions and is respected globally as a role model.
Holding British records in the 600m, 800m, and 1000m, Kelly is an Olympic, Commonwealth, and European champion, with a total of seven Gold, eight Silver, and four Bronze medals. Her most notable achievement came at the Olympic Games in Athens, where she became the first Briton in over 80 years to win Gold in both the 800m and 1500m. Following her Olympic success, she received accolades such as BBC Sports Personality of the Year and European Athlete of the Year, and she was honoured with a Damehood by the Queen.
Raised by her mother on a council estate in Kent, Kelly attended a local secondary school where her PE teacher encouraged her to pursue running. Her family supports her at races across the country, so she understands the value of a strong support system. She left professional running to join the British Army, becoming an HGV driver and later a Physical Training Instructor. She was awarded an MBE for her service and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps.
Despite her achievements, Kelly faced a challenging path to Olympic gold, marked by injuries and periods of clinical depression. These struggles persisted even a year before her double Olympic victory.
After her success, Kelly founded the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people regain their footing by engaging with world-class athletes. She promotes the belief that nothing is impossible, a philosophy she embodies in her own life.
