International Women’s Day – Dame Kelly Holmes

Find out more about one of the most inspirational women for International Women’s Day – Dame Kelly Holmes.

Double Olympic champion, Dame Kelly Holmes, is Britain’s most successful female middle distance runner and she still holds the British records for both 800m and 1500m. In 2004, she was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and was made a Dame when she retired from competition in 2005. We were lucky enough to grab a few moments of time for a quick chat with one of the most inspirational women for International Women’s Day – Dame Kelly Holmes.

Q. What’s your next challenge?

A. My next challenge is completing the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon and raising a significant amount of money for charity. I’m fundraising for five charities: Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, Hospice in the Weald, Myeloma UK, Pickering Cancer Centre and Mind UK.

Q. Can you share one of the more challenging situations you’ve found yourself in?

A. When training in the military, a group of us got lost in the Welsh mountains when the weather turned very bad. We got caught in a storm and I was very close to getting hypothermia. We got stretchered off the mountain. It was scary and a very long night, but as a team we got through it. Being prepared is now key!

Q. What do you see as the biggest challenges for women in sport? And what do you think we need to do overcome them?

A. Lack of media exposure is not helpful and women are definitely given a poor deal when it comes to consistent support. However, women are making great ‘inroads’ to showcase their talents. Having the confidence to push for success is important.

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given that you’d like to pass on to our readers?

A. Never live with regrets. It’s best to try and achieve your aims without giving up so quickly. it’s better to say and feel like you’ve given 100 per cent than say and live with: ‘if only’.