ELL OF A VICTORY
Holmes’ heroics inspires GB striker to go for gold
ELLEN WHITE remembers the moment her love affair with the Olympics began.
“Kelly Holmes coming from behind down the home straight to win the 800 metres in Athens,” she said. “It still gives me goosebumps now.”
That was 17 years ago. Ninety-five caps and 39 England goals later the buzz she felt in front of her television that day lives on.
The Manchester City forward is in Sapporo where tomorrow morning Britain’s women footballers bring the curtain up on Japan’s Olympics.
In the stadium where David Beckham’s penalty beat Argentina 1-0 at the 2002 World Cup, the Covid-19 fears consuming these Games will be momentarily forgotten as Hege Riise’s team take on Chile.
White said: “To be a part of Team GB, potentially making some amazing history, is a special privilege.
“I’m an absolute fan of the Olympics, of every sport. I get so invested in it, swept away with watching sports you wouldn’t normally watch, inspired by the stories.”
This time the tale she is most interested in has her written into the lead role. Ten days after England’s Euro final heartbreak, she has the firepower to take Team GB one step further.
“In my eyes the England team are absolute heroes,” she added. “They lifted the spirits of the whole nation.
“What they did achieve and the way
from ALEX SPINK in TOKYO
they conducted themselves was really inspirational. It’s given me inspiration for our tournament. We’re excited for everyone at home to hopefully come on this journey with us.”
At 32, time is running out for White to add a major international trophy to her individual accolades.
She came close in 2019, joint topscorer in the World Cup as England lost in the semi-finals to USA.
And with England providing 15 of an 18-strong squad, there is strong reason for optimism over the coming days.
“Wanting to win something as a team is what drives me, gets me out of bed, pushes me in training,” said White, who scored twice as Great Britain beat New Zealand 3-0 in their only warm-up game.
“I’ve had a little bit of heartbreak in tournaments with England but I feel this squad could do something special.”
After opening the 12-team competition against Chile, Britain play Japan on Saturday and Canada on Tuesday.
The top two in each of three pools plus the two best third-placed teams advance to the knockout stages.
Back in 2002, White was at school in Aylesbury during that World Cup when Beckham saved the day.
“We watched the games on a big screen together in the hall,” she recalled.
“It’s going to be incredible to play in that same stadium. I really can’t wait.”