Flashback: Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes retires on this day in 2005

Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes announced her retirement from athletics in December 2005.
By Sports Desk
Published 7th Dec 2020, 06:01 BST
Kelly Holmes of Great Britain celebrates winning the womens 1500m during the Norwich Union international between Great Britain, Russia and USA on June 5, 2005 in Glasgow. (Photo by Gary M.Prior/Getty Images).Kelly Holmes of Great Britain celebrates winning the womens 1500m during the Norwich Union international between Great Britain, Russia and USA on June 5, 2005 in Glasgow. (Photo by Gary M.Prior/Getty Images).
Kelly Holmes of Great Britain celebrates winning the womens 1500m during the Norwich Union international between Great Britain, Russia and USA on June 5, 2005 in Glasgow. (Photo by Gary M.Prior/Getty Images).

Holmes called time on her career aged 35, just over a year on from winning gold in the 800 metres and 1500m at the Athens Games.

The former army sergeant’s efforts in the Greek capital saw her become only the second Briton to achieve the Olympic middle-distance double.

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Holmes, whose career had been significantly impacted by injury, memorably had eyes bulging with the line in sight as she triumphed in the 800m.

She was named the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2004 and made a Dame in the New Year Honours list.

While an Achilles injury forced Holmes to miss the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, she had planned on defending her 1500m Commonwealth title in Melbourne the following March.

But when she made her retirement announcement, she revealed the sudden death of a friend had led to a reassessment.

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Holmes said: “Something clicked in my mind. You never know where your life is going so why not make the most of everything?

“I have achieved everything I ever wanted. I am a double Olympic champion. I have nothing to prove to anyone, including myself.

“I have done and surpassed what other people will continue to dream of.”

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