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Kelly Holmes

Sue Lawley's castaway is athlete Kelly Holmes.

Sue Lawley's castaway is the athlete Dame Kelly Holmes. Kelly Holmes was the heroine of the Athens Olympics. She achieved her lifetime's ambition when, at the age of 34, she won gold medals in the 800 and 1500 metres.

As a teenager she witnessed Sebastian Coe's Olympic success in 1984 and that was the inspiration behind her own career in athletics. Early on her trainers recognised she had the natural talent - and determination - to succeed. But her career has been blighted by injury - she bowed out of the 1996 Olympics due to injury; won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics despite considerable physical pain; and several times had appeared close to the end of her career as a result of a series of health problems.

Now retired from athletics, she says she wants to inspire other schoolchildren to take up sport - and make sure that the whole of Britain feels the Olympic spirit by the time it comes to host the games in 2012.

[Taken from the original programme material for this archive edition of Desert Island Discs]

Favourite track: If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys
Book: A Set of Encyclopaedias
Luxury: Large supply of chocolate

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 6 Jan 2006 09:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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Music Played

  • Castaway's Favourite

    • Alicia Keys

      If I Ain't Got You

      • Diary of Alicia Keys.
      • J.

  • Boney M.

    Brown Girl in the Ring

    • Greatest Hits.
    • BMG.

  • Destiny’s Child

    Independent Women, Part I

    • Survivor.
    • Columbia.

  • Heather Headley

    Always Been Your Girl

    • This is Who I Am.
    • RCA.

  • Sounds of Blackness

    I'm Going All the Way

    • I'm Going All the Way.
    • Perspective.

  • Linda Clifford

    Red Light

    • Kids from Fame - soundtrack.
    • Polydor.

  • Yolanda Adams

    I Believe

    • Honey- film soundtrack.
    • Elektra.

  • Sarah McLachlan

    Angel

    • Angel.
    • Nettwerk.

  • Book Choice

    • A Set of Encyclopaedias

  • Luxury Choice

    • Large supply of chocolate

Credits

Presenter Sue Lawley
Interviewed Guest Kelly Holmes

Broadcasts

  • New Year's Day 2006 11:15
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
  • Fri 6 Jan 2006 09:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4

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