The guest list for Dame Kelly Holmes's Victory Revisited party sums up the spirit of this incredible woman glamorous, inclusive and a whole lot of fun. At 54, the double gold medal-winning runner is no longer afraid to live her best life - as she puts it to OK! - and what better way to show it than hosting a party for everyone who's helped along the way? The glitzy event, held at The Savoy hotel in central London last Wednesday, marked exactly 20 years since Kelly, who's now a TV presenter, author and motivational speaker, won her second gold medal at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
Since her 1500m and 800m wins, she's not only become a Dame, she's also established her own charity - the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust joined the Loose Women panel, written bestselling books and become an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community after coming out as a lesbian two years ago.
We wonder though, has any of it come close to the high of clinching her golds? "In a way, no, because you can't quantify anything else like that, it's evident by getting medals," she says. "But in life I've had some bigger wins. Being afraid and then coming out as a gay woman two years ago gave me freedom and happiness. Starting my charity 16 years ago and helping nearly half a million young people in various deprivation and seeing what it's done to change their lives has been amazing. Getting through quite deep mental health problems and then two years ago having the freedom to feel I could live my life as I wanted - they were all big wins. But careerwise, no, nothing reaches that Olympic high."
This story is from the September 09, 2024 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 09, 2024 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE PITFALLS OF AT-HOME REMEDIES
Some online health advice could be putting our wellbeing at risk
GREEK RETREATS
Relax and unwind at some of the Greek islands' best wellness destinations, offering sun, sea - and spas
Food from home
Romy Gill takes us on a journey through the ancestral kitchens of the Bengal and Punjab regions by sharing 70 of her beloved family recipes
DANCING QUEEN: 'You'd have to shovel me out of my Strictly chair'
Shirley Ballas loves her role as head judge on the hit BBC dance show and despite struggling with back pain, she won't be putting her feet up any time soon, she tells OK! in an exclusive interview
FAMILY TIME: 'I feel content and in a good place - I was so different before I became a mum'
Reality TV star Ferne McCann on motherhood, marriage and being inspired by her children
THE MATCHMAKER: 'I would pay to go on My Mum, Your Dad if I wasn't in a relationship'
As the hit ITV dating series where single parents get a second chance of finding love returns, host Davina McCall reveals why the show is such a success
REEL DRAMA: BRAD STEALS THE SHOW AT MAJOR MOVIE EVENT
A host of screen stars graced the red carpet for the 81st Venice International Film Festival
FAMILY MATTERS: 'PETE AND I GET ON EACH OTHER'S NERVES, BUT WE LAUGH EVERY DAY'
Presenter Abbey Clancy tells us her secret to a happy marriage and why she loves the chaos of family life
SUMMER OF LOVE: 'We just match each other perfectly'
Olympic swimmer Matthew Richards marries fiancée Emily Large in a fairytale ceremony, making it a summer that they'll never forget
LIFE, LOVE AND DUTY: QUEEN CAMILLA'S JOURNEY INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Following another busy week of duties, it's clear Queen Camilla has taken to her role in the monarchy “like a duck to water\" says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond