“I had to do it. I was nervous about it, but now I feel like I’m going to explode with joy. Sometimes I cried about it, but once this conversation comes out, all the fear will be gone,” Holmes said.
The winner of the 800 and 1500 meters from the Games in 2004 kept everything secret for a long time, later also in order not to lose her position in the army. She served there until 1997, but Britain did not allow members of sexual minorities to work until three years later.
I’m so happy that Dame Kelly Holmes feels this way. And let’s not underestimate the impact of one of our greatest ever athletes – those two gold medal-winning performances are iconic – coming out as gay. Love and respect, Queen. https://t.co/1K0Zj6TmCu
— Nick Levine (@mrnicklevine) June 18, 2022
In addition to two Olympic gold medals, Holmes also won bronze at the eight-year-old at the 2000 Games.