Diary
Mai 2009 update
My New Role as President of Commonwealth Games England
27th May 2009
I have been genuinely touched by the range and breadth of support and personal messages the recent announcement of my new role as President of Commonwealth Games England has brought me. Let’s face it, when you are given an opportunity like this, there are always a few people who might grumble, and think they or someone else should have been put in the post but so far I have had really positive backing so that’s great.
I was, as I have said in numerous interviews, incredibly honoured to have been asked, and to succeed Sir Chris Chattaway (himself a formidable athlete in his field) after a 15 year term. I am not sure how long I will be in post but I always take my roles seriously and it’s great to have an opportunity like this to show the other attributes that being a retired sports person can bring.
Of course, I am still learning what it takes to really make a difference in these types of role and I think it would be fantastic to see the sport system making the most of other ex-elite performers, utilising our skills, knowledge and expertise that we have gained through achieving at the highest level in sport.
Actually this is some of the work that I have been leading just recently through my charity, the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust and it is fantastic for me to have the opportunity to ‘walk the walk’ by using my experience as ‘home grown talent’ to shape and influence the work of Commonwealth Games England. I mean it’s great to have been in the system, performed at the highest level and achieved success in the field that I am now involved in. Few people remember that my first Gold medal was at the Commonwealth Games in 1994 after that I achieved silver in 1998 and Gold in 2002.Certainly, as the eyes of the world look to London and the build up to the Olympic Games, they are surely going to be looking at the performance of the home nations at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year, building to London 2012 and then beyond into Glasgow 2014. No question about it, the expectations will be huge. But I really believe we are well placed to rise to the occasion and produce some exceptional performances across the board.
So, what are the challenges in my role and for CGE? Firstly, I think we need to see the Commonwealth Games as a significant event in it’s own right. I think the Commonwealth Games at Manchester in 2002 was a fantastic occasion, and gave a superb platform for many competitors, (myself included!) to enjoy the experience of a multi sport event. We have to remember that for many competitors, this may be the pinnacle of their sporting achievements, which should be recognised and celebrated.And for many of the young athletes who have been inspired to get into and stay in the sport, like some of the middle distance runners I mentor through ‘On Camp with Kelly’, London 2012 may come too soon for their stage of development but Glasgow 2014 is a real possibility to aim for.
Secondly though, we equally need to recognise that this is a much needed platform and experience for those performers who will progress on to the bigger stage of the Olympics and we should support the team accordingly. If you look back through some of the top performers in the CWG, it’s certainly an illustrious alumni…. Brendan Foster, Steve Cram, Daley Thompson, Sally Gunnel, Tessa Sanderson, Denise Lewis, Victoria Pendleton, Gaill Emms, Nathan Roberts, and of course ‘me’………the hall of fame list goes on and on!! Personally, I have no doubt that the success I experienced in Manchester in 2002 was part of a crucial step towards gaining my double Olympic title in 2004.
Finally, I want people to proud of being English. It was a huge honour to wear the Great Britain team kit, but I live in England and I am proud to be English too. I’d like to see the same passion for our Commonwealth Games athletes that we see for the English Football Team with flags flying in every street up and down the country. I would like to see Businesses, Schools, and whole communities getting behind Team England and supporting them to achieve their best. Aim high I say! As a nation we have come second behind Australia on the medal table so by 2014 I am sure our aim will be to top it!
My other mission will be to help find funding and a kit sponsor. I was shocked when Anne Hogbin the CEO said that in Melbourne 2006 the team were without a kit sponsor. Come on guys! Anyone out there that really believes in backing talent please get in touch and help us send not only the best competing team but also the best turned out team to Delhi!!!
So, how has the first week in my new role gone? Well, it’s been interesting. I am working closely with the CWG England team to help as they implement the new structure, I have met with the BOA and discussed how we might share expertise and support. And finally I gave my first formal speech on the announcement to the All Parliamentary Sports Group. Typical that it happened to clash that afternoon with the first resignation of the Speaker in 300 years. Seems it was an historic day for me in more ways than one!
Kelly