(11-9-06) From Press Release - Celebrated middle-distance running champion Kelly Holmes will provide insight into her years of running and coaching at the Eugene Running Company on Monday, November 20 beginning at 7 p.m. The event is free to the public. Kelly Holmes is a Double Olympic Champion in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens Greece. Her gold medal performances in the 800m and 1,500m events made her an instant legend in the world of international athletics. During her brilliant career she was coached by Eugene’s own Margo Jennings.
Kelly was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace and was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The day after she won her second Olympic Gold Medal, she was awarded the honor of carrying the British flag in the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
Kelly Holmes is one of the greatest middle distance runners in history. She has a bronze medal from the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney Australia, a gold medal from the World Athletics Final and countless medals from the World Championships, World Cup, European Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Early in her career she ran for the Tonbridge Athletics Club in her native Hildenborough England. In her second season of competition she won the English Schools 1,500m Championship. During an early break from Track & Field, she became the British Army Judo Champion. Kelly Holmes moved to Africa to train with Maria Mutola, the legendary Olympic Champion who lived in Eugene at the Peak of her career.
Kelly retired from competitive athletics in 2005 and now devotes herself to her passion of mentoring young women athletes.
For more information, please visit www.eugenerunningcompany.com.
