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Double Olympic champion ‘blown away’ by Le Rondin visit

Dame Kelly Holmes brought excitement to pupils and staff at Le Rondin School on Friday morning, during a visit as part of a fundraising initiative led by local charity Only Fools and Donkeys.

Dame impressed... Kelly Holmes with students Hermione Rumens and Luke Tostevin.
Dame impressed... Kelly Holmes with students Hermione Rumens and Luke Tostevin. / Guernsey Press/Erin Vaudin

Dame Kelly, who is patron of the charity, toured the school before joining an assembly. Her visit coincided with two significant milestones - the charity’s latest cycling challenge launch and the 20th anniversary of the school.

‘It’s amazing, Le Rondin really blows you away,’ she said. ‘Every young person has different needs, and in a lot of environments, those needs aren’t met. But here, they are doing it right.

'From what I’ve seen, it’s about taking a young person and getting the best out of them, whatever that means for them.’

Dame Kelly won seven gold, eight silver and four bronze medals across Olympic, Commonwealth and European championships during an illustrious career, with her crowning glory being her double win in the 800m and 1500m at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

She chatted with children and staff, taking time to ask questions and listen to their stories. ‘She was so natural with the children,’ said deputy head teacher Christine De Kock.

‘She made everyone feel heard. It is something all the students will remember and cherish.’

Dame Kelly was in Guernsey for a gala dinner to support local charity Only Fools and Donkeys, hosted by fund administrators TMF, and also took the opportunity to add Guernsey to her list of Parkrun destinations.

‘Everyone’s been really welcoming. There’s a great energy here, and the passion people have for living on the island really comes through,’ she said.

Mike Marshall, co-founder of the charity, explained how he persuaded Dame Kelly to help.

‘She actually used to babysit my kids,’ he said.

‘This was 30 years ago when she was a teenager and a long time before she was an Olympian or a Dame. I then bumped into her at a London 100 Bike ride and asked her if she fancied coming over. It’s taken a little while to organise but we were so happy when she agreed to come along.’

Double Olympic champion dons her trainers for Parkrun

Dame Kelly taking it easy at Guernsey Parkrun.
Dame Kelly taking it easy at Guernsey Parkrun. / Guernsey Press/Jason Friend

Local Parkrunners had their chance to pit themselves against Dame Kelly when she made an appearance at the island’s weekly event.

She is a big supporter of the Parkrun movement which sees runners take part in a free, weekly, 5km timed run, jog, or walk, held in parks and open spaces around the world.

Saturday’s run at L’Ancresse was her 58th Parkrun venue.

‘This is what Parkrun is about, community, everybody coming together,’ she said.

‘It doesn’t matter if you want to walk at the back or you want to speed at the front. It’s 5k at the end of the day and biggest thing is we’ve all shown up and made that commitment.’

And as she was carrying a minor injury, Dame Kelly took it easy, finishing in 27.15 – almost 10 minutes off her personal best.

Much to the delight of the 226 runners, she took the time after the race to chat and have photographs taken.

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