Dame Kelly Holmes announcing on Tuesday she will not
defend her Commonwealth 1,500 metres title also revealed her decision to call her
magnificent career to a halt. The 35-year-old double Olympic gold medallist
from Great Britain, who had won the 800 and 1,500 m in Athens in 2004, had
always planned the Games in Melbourne in March next year, would fetch down the
curtain on her career.
During a press conference in London Kelly Holmes said:
“This has been a very tough decision to make - hanging up my spikes forever is
a big step. I would have loved to compete in Melbourne,
but know that the time is right for me to move on and take up some of the
amazing opportunities that have
been presented to me.”
Holmes candidly admitted motivation after almost a
year of constant injuries had finally dampened her enthusiasm to continue in
the sport which she has served for over a decade with distinction.