Double champ inspires youth

Young athletes from Wishaw, Motherwell and Shotts had an inspiring chat with double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes.

The decorated 49-year-old middle distance athlete, who bagged gold in the 800m and 1500m in Athens in 2004, dropped in at the Palace Grounds in Hamilton to give a talk about her career and tips for the kids’ futures.

And six lucky Law and District Athletics Club members were invited along to meet - and train - with the famous former athlete.

Head coach Pat Kelly, pictured below getting his shirt signed, said that Holmes was so happy to chat and sign autographs that she nearly missed her flight back down south.

Pat said: “Kelly was was brilliant and had so much time for the young children.

“Donald Gilchrist, Jessie Robson, Leah Kiesler, Logan Whitton, Hannah Todd and Daniel Simpson were our lucky athletes to come along.

“Kelly was a good inspirational speaker who gave us as much time as she could could. In the end she had to ru run, suitcases in hand, to make sure she did not m miss her plane!”

The event was hosted by Wilson Developments (S ( Scotland) Ltd in co conjunction with their pa partners Clyde Valley H Housing Association and Ac Action for Children.

Kids from Larkhall Y YMCA Ha r r i e r s , Cl Clydesdale Colts and ve v e t e ran members fro from the David Lloyd ru running club were also in attendance.

Pat added: “I feel I am av a very lucky guy to have be been there and met such an a nice and inspirational ath athlete myself.”