So, when Sarah asked me if I would like to attend a dinner on the night of April 1 had she been able to tell me exactly what the night had in store, I would have thought it was an April fool’s joke.

 

But due to strict protocol she couldn't reveal the details. I have been to many charity functions and on judging panels including the Children's Champion Awards with Sarah, which is how I know her. She is a lovely lady with a beautiful smile who is genuinely interested in people.

So flying off to South Africa where some of the girls on my ‘On Camp with Kelly’ mentoring initiative that Aviva support were training, I had no idea what I was returning to.

 

When I returned and found out who I was going to be sitting next too I thought I would hyperventilate with excitement. I am fortunate enough to have been to Number 10 a few times, for some of the charity functions and during my time as the National School Sports Champion, but receiving a personal invite from Gordon Brown and Sarah to attend such a high-profile event was truly special.

 

Last Wednesday when I arrived at Downing Street there was more security and police than usual because of the predicted riots. The world's media were also stationed outside that famous big black door. I felt it a great honour to be invited, along to such a significant event. To have the opportunity to represent the best of British from the world of sport, along with Dame Tanni- Grey Thompson, was brilliant and made me proud of my achievements.

 

Given the historic nature of this first visit by the new President of America to Great Britain, it was a really unique experience that I was not going to miss. But as has been reported in the press, I also was fortunate enough to be seated next to Michelle Obama with JK Rowling sitting to her other side. How lucky was I?

 

Michelle was very engaging, down to earth and so easy to talk to. You just warm to her caring nature - her face is a constant source of smiles and expression. Amazingly I found we had lots in common. We spoke about the importance of mentoring young people, to give them direction in life, something close to my heart as I explained my 'On camp with Kelly'. She said she would love to bring together people who do great work with young people over in the States.

 

She asked what else I did these days, and I spoke of my charity the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust and how it was trying to help elite performers transition into new careers and a programme I had been running in East London with BT helping communities.

 

She said she loved visiting communities and schools and was really looking forward to the travelling that she and Barack would undertake. She underlined the fact, however, that the United States is a massive place, so they are looking to meet as many people domestically as they can.

 

Given that her hometown Chicago were bidding for the 2016 games, I asked her if she was looking forward to coming over to the 2012 Olympics and she was very excited. I think she will know the excitement that we are starting to feel here in the UK and I am sure deep down both Michelle and her husband would love the next games after London to be in the US.

 

Talking to Michelle I started to think where my life has been going. I mean how many times in life have you felt that you've stepped into the most unexpected and surreal dream, heart racing with excitement, not wanting the moment to end. I have felt that, especially after winning my second Gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and this night was another one of those; it had the wow factor as well of course, but in a completely different way.

 

Words cannot express what I felt when I saw Barack Obama himself. At the end of the dinner we went over to Number 10 and in came all of the Heads of States led by the Prime Minister, fresh from their own dinner meeting. It seemed Gordon Brown was pleased with the dinner, given the big smile on his face.

 

When I saw the President I smoothly edged my way over to shake his hand. I believe you should never live with regrets and this one opportunity I was not going to miss. A brief conversation with Mr Obama about sitting next to his lovely wife over dinner, finished off a great night.

 

I thought to myself last month I wrote about sports people not knowing what to do next. I may to some people be just an ex-athlete but we are also people who have worked extremely hard to try and be successful representing our country. I am proud of my careers so far both in the Army and in sport and I hope that I can continue to show people that if you are willing to work hard and never give up trying to be the best you can be sometimes people really do take an interest in who you are!

 

I don’t really know where my life is going at the moment but I am enjoying the journey.

 

Dame Kelly has her own website that has links to her charity Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust and ‘On Camp with Kelly’. It can be visited at www.doublegold.co.uk. 

 

Comments


Dear Insde the Games,

The blog by Dame Kelly Holmes on her dinner next to Michelle
Obama was excellent. It also gives your readers in US an
appreciation of the excitement that many have about our President
and his wife!
Larry Eder
American Track & Field
runblogrun.com
By Larry Eder

8 April 2009 at 00:58am

Wow! What a great piece. It is always interesting to hear what
foreigners think of our President and his wife. It is nice to
know that even people like Kelly are impressed.
By Keith Hopkins, Greenville, TX

9 April 2009 at 09:50am

This is a brilliant piece, a unique insight into what it must be
like to be Kelly Holmes. If it were anyone else I think I might
be incredibly jealous but knowing how hard she has worked and
what she want through to get that, I'm just really chuffed for
Kelly. I hope she will be doing more stuff like this on
insidethegames because it's brilliant.
By Paul, Stockport

11 April 2009 at 11:21am

It must have been thrilling for Kelly to sit next to Michelle
Obama, but I am sure when the First Lady heard about Kelly's
achievements she was just as awe-struck. But it's nice to know
that even people like Kelly can still get child-like pleasure of
meeting people like Michelle Obama.
By Sarah Toploksi, Lausanne

13 April 2009 at 15:33pm