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Born 19th April
1970 in Pembury, Kent. |
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Introduction |
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When Dame Kelly Holmes made history
at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens she achieved something that
only 2 other women in the world have ever achieved and became
the second British athlete to win 2 middle distance Gold Medals
at the same Games in over 80 years. |
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Before this historic victory
launched her into the public eye, Dame Kelly's career had been
one filled with injuries and disappointments, however her
dedication and determination to achieve her lifelong dream saw
her overcome all of this and realise her dream not once but
twice. |
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These experiences make her an ideal
speaker as she reflects on her personal experiences and provides
insight into her 20 year career. Her natural humour and charm
not only captivates her audiences but leaves them informed and
entertained. |
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Career |
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1986 - Princess Christians Hospital
- Nursing Assistant |
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1988 - 1997 British Army - HGV
Driver |
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1991 - Became a Physical Training
Instructor |
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1993 - 2005 International Running
Career |
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About Kelly |
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At the age of 12, Kelly joined
Tonbridge wells Athletics Club beginning her training under
coach David Arnold. By the end of her second season, her
potential fro athletic prowess was evident winning the English
Schools 15,000 metres but at the age of 18, she had left sport
for a life in the British Army. Initially working as a lorry
driver in the Women's Royal Army Corps, Kelly went on to achieve
the rank of Sergeant Class 1 PTI transferring to the Army
Physical Training Corps. During this period she also became Army
Judo Champion and resumed her connection with competitive
athletics. In 1992 and inspired by the Summer Olympics, Kelly
began combining her work in the Army alongside that as an
athlete until 1997 when an increase in funding allowed he to
pursue a fulltime career in the sport. |
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While training for the Athens
Olympic Games scheduled for 2004, Kelly suffered a career
threatening injury beginning a downward spiral in her
preparations. It is a testament to her true depth of character
that she fought back against all odds showing a strength of
determination, dedication and an unparallel level of desire to
succeed, that led her to re write the history books at the most
coveted of all sporting events. Winning Gold in both the 800m
and 15,000 metre finals, she became the first ever British
female to gain Double Gold and the country's first Double Gold
Medallist since 1920. |
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Following her magnificent
achievements, Kelly was bestowed with numerous awards and
honours including becoming a Dame in the 2005 New Year Honours
List. Later that year and once again plagued by injury, Dame
Kelly retired from the competitive track. For the past five
years, Dame Kelly's career has centred on becoming a successful
businesswoman as well as adopting numerous ambassadorial and
mentoring roles to add to her already considerable sporting
legacy. |
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Read all about Kelly's life in her
autobiography 'Black White and Gold' |
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Corporate Speaking and
Presenting |
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Dame Kelly became one of the
world's elite athletes when she made history wining two Gold
Medals for middle distance running at the 2004 Olympic Games. To
achieve her goal, she overcame previous career threatening
injuries and disappointments through sheer desire, dedication
and gritty determination. As a motivational speaker, Dame Kelly
draws on her life's experiences as a Physical Training
Instructor in the Army, her Athletics Career and her role as
National School Sports Champion to deliver key information.
Working with the client, she tailors her presentations in her
unique style incorporating humour and charm. With an instinctive
ability to communicate, she never fails to fulfil differing team
and corporate needs thus helping to reach aims whether it be for
strategy meetings, seminars or conferences with a wide range of
objectives. |
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PR Initiatives, Product
Launches, Endorsements and Personal Appearances |
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To enable Dame Kelly to aspire to
her goals, she combined the ultimate fitness regimes, training
equipment and healthy diet together with a positive mental
attitude so what better way to promote or launch your clients
latest product or event than with Dame Kelly. Her persuasive and
approachable manner will encourage and inspire to your client's
needs whether it be to launch, endorse or promote any product,
team building or corporate event. |
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Additional Information |
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Ambassadorial and Mentoring
Roles |
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BT London 2012 Partner
- Dame Kelly was named leader of
the team of BT London 2012 Ambassadors in April 2008. BT is the
Official Communications Services Partner and a Sustainability
Partner for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Dame Kelly is
delighted to be part of the team which ultimately strives to
encourage people of all ages and backgrounds, to develop and
perform to the best of their ability in whatever their chosen
area in life. |
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Commonwealth Games President for
2010 - Dame Kelly was
appointed President of Commonwealth Games England in May 2009.
The 2010 Games are to be hosted in the city of New Delhi in
India from where Dame Kelly has recently returned from a visit..
Her role as President is to act as an Ambassador for the English
Team and she has also become instrumental in helping gain vital
support from businesses around the country. |
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National School Sport Champion
- Dame Kelly's role as National
School Sport Champion is to work with young people inspiring and
motivating them into a healthier more active lifestyle. Her
involvement sees her make many school visits around the country,
meeting as many young people and teachers as possible in order
to further improve the role of P.E within the National
Curriculum. The project is Government backed and managed by the
Youth Sport Trust with the support of Aviva previously known as
Norwich Union. |
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Sainsbury's Active Kids
- Dame Kelly has supported
Sainsbury's Active Kids since it's inception in 2005. The
project is designed not only to keep kids fit and healthy by
being involved with regular sporting activities but also to
address the importance of building confidence and self esteem.
Sainsbury's customers receive vouchers in return for money spent
which can then be exchanged by schools for sports equipment and
experiences. 2010 sees Dame Kelly on Sainsbury's Active Kids TV
ads with Jamie Oliver. |
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Camelot Olympic Champions
Scratchcard - Dame Kelly
has been chosen by the British public to feature on the new
lottery scratch card, Olympic Champions. Money raised from the
project is to be donated to London 2012. |
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On Camp with Kelly (OCWK)
- The idea of On Camp with Kelly
was born out of Dame Kelly's dream of setting up a mentoring
scheme for young athletes, inspiring them to learn from her
life's combination of successes and setbacks while assisting
them to develop in their own careers by teaching them what it
takes to become world class athletes. Since the first camp in
South Africa, further training camps in Spain and Australia have
followed as well as educational camps in Loughborough , England.
Each athlete is assigned a Gold, Silver or Bronze status which
entitles them to different levels of mentoring with Dame Kelly
plus medical and financial support. The initiative is run
through Dame Kelly's company Double Gold with a full-time
project manager and team of dedicated staff. |
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DKH Legacy Trust -
Dame Kelly set up the trust in
order to provide support to developing elite performers whether
it be in sport or life. Recognising the importance of role
models and mentors in young people's lives, the trust operates
using a series of projects incorporating the help of elite
sports performers. The Harnessing Talent scheme enables retiring
sports champions to redirect their skills and go on to achieve
excellence in other areas while the Inspiring Sport project
allows those who are not quite capable of becoming champions to
reach their full potential. The Inspiring Lives scheme focuses
on helping young people to find and believe in their own talents
outside the world of sport. This project centres particularly
but not exclusively on helping disadvantaged and hard to reach
young people. |
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Athletic Biography |
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2006 |
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Made the National School Sports
Champion |
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2005 |
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Honoured with a Damehood by the
Queen in the New Year's Honours. |
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Winner of the Laureus World Sports
Woman of the Year Award. |
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2004 |
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Gold Olympic Games at 800m |
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Gold Olympic Games at 1500m |
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New British Record at 1500m 3:57.90 |
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1st World Athletics Final - 1500m |
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Winner of the Performance of the
Year Award at the IAAF Gala |
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BBC Sports Personality of the Year |
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European Athlete of the Year 2004 |
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European Indoor Record at 1000m
2:32.96 |
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2003 |
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Bronze 800m World Championship |
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Silver 1500m World Indoor
Championship - British Record of 4:02.66 |
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2002 |
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Gold 1500m Commonwealth Games |
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Bronze 800m European Championships |
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2001 |
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Silver 800m Goodwill Games |
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2000 |
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Bronze 800m Olympic Games |
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1998 |
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Silver 1500m Commonwealth Games |
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1997 |
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British Record at 1500m of 3:58.07 |
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British Record at 1000m of 2:32.55 |
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1996 |
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4th Olympic Games 800m |
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1995 |
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Silver 1500m World Championships |
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Bronze 800m World Championships -
British Record at 800m of 1:56.21 |
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British Record at 1000m of 2:32.80 |
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1994 |
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Gold 1500m Commonwealth Games
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Silver 1500m European Championships |
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Awards since the 2004 Olympic
Games |
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* Dame Commander of the British
Empire |
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* BBC Sports Personality of the
Year |
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* International Athlete of the Year
- Voted by International Sports Journalist |
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* European Female Athlete of the
Year |
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* International Amateur Athletic
Federation - Female Performance of the Year |
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* Sports Writers Association Sports
Woman of the Year |
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* British Athletic Writers
Association Female Athlete of the Year |
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* London Sports Personality of the
Year |
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* BBC Radio London Sports
Personality of the Year |
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* BBC Radio London Athlete of the
Year |
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* BBC South East Sports Personality
of the Year |
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* BBC South East Courier Award |
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* Celebrity Sports Star of the Year |
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* Transworld Sport Sports Woman of
the Year |
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* Sunday Times Sports Woman of the
Year |
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* Norwich Union Award for Best
Performance in a British Vest |
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* Kent Invicta Award for
Outstanding Achievement |
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* T4 Honours Award |
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* Great Britons Award - Sport |
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* Diva Best Female |
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* TV Moments Awards - Best Sport
Moment of the Year |
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* TV Moments Awards - Golden Moment
of the Year |
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* WorldTop Ten Athletes Award -
Voted by the Chinese Public |
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* Glamour Magazine Sports Woman of
the Year |
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* Woman of the Year Outstanding
Achievement Award |
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* Walpole Award for British
Sporting Excellence |
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* Glasgow - Lord Provost Award |
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* Laureus World Sportswoman of the
Year |
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