Athletics: Sussex girls join Kelly's heroes

Holmes, who was catapulted into superstardom after her historic gold medal double over 800m and 1,500m at the Athens Olympics, is convinced the pair have what it takes.

It is the reason she has selected them and six other athletes to fly out with her on Monday to attend a month-long camp at a South African training base.

Danielle, 16, earned her place after a selection trial at Birmingham in July.

Charlotte, 17, was promoted from reserve last week to replace Crawley's Charlotte Best, who has a ruptured appendix.

Holmes told The Argus: "The potential is there in Danielle and Charlotte to do what I've done.

"I thought right from the start of the selection process that Danielle had fantastic potential.

"She is obviously a very talented athlete and displayed that on selection day.

"She showed a bit of everything you need to be a committed athlete. It is not just about the ability she has now, it's about her mindset, drive and determination.

"Charlotte was originally one of my reserves purely because I could only select eight out of 13 fantastic girls at the trial.

"Now she has been given the opportunity to fill Charlotte Best's boots and I'm sure she will make the most of the camp.

"It will improve her a lot. She has a good drive and commitment.

"The camp is not about being the next Kelly Holmes because every athlete is different. It's about trying to find something that will help them achieve what they want to achieve.

"All those going have already achieved good things but there is a long way to go.

"Athletics isn't easy. You have to commit your life to a dream. They might have potential but it is down to Danielle, Charlotte and the others to try and make it happen. They need to give it 100 per cent. At least if they do that they won't have to live with any regrets.

"What happened for me in Athens was a dream come true. If they realise their dreams it will be worthwhile.

"I'd love them to experience the sort of pleasure I felt when winning my Olympic gold medals."

Holmes will conduct sessions on the physical and mental skills needed to achieve Olympic success.

She will give motivational talks, master classes on blood-testing, altitude training, nutrition, psychology, dealing with the media and train with her proteges - plus eight South African athletes.

Holmes said: "They'll train with me because they are athletes, but they can learn about different aspects of life.

"I'm happy to pass on tips even though I'm still in the sport and might end up racing against them.

"The difference is that I have achieved everything I've ever dreamed of.

"I didn't have anything like this when I was growing up. It is a good way to encourage those who have the talent to stay in the sport."

Holmes says her heart goes out to Charlotte Best but she believes the national under-20 800m bronze medallist will bounce back.

She said: "I'm really disappointed Charlotte won't be there because, although they are all great girls, she was a key girl. I saw a bit of everything in her that marks her out as a fantastic athlete later in life.

"It's one of those things. She'll get through this and move on. That's what learning to be an international athlete involves. It is not all smooth sailing. I have had injuries and illness."

Danielle, the English Schools' 1,500m champion and AAA under-17s' 800m title holder, believes she can live up to the faith Holmes has shown in her.

The British under-20 international, who runs for Crawley, said: "It's reassuring to know that Kelly thinks I've got what it takes to make it because she should know.

"I would like to go on and do what Kelly's done herself. That's the ultimate goal.

"I've been running seriously for three years. It has been getting more and more intense.

"But the camp will take it to another level. Kelly's the perfect role model."

Danielle, who is coached by Charlotte Best's father Mark, feels sorry for her clubmate.

She said: "She'll be upset for a while but she'll get over it and come back positively. I'll keep in touch with her while I'm at the camp.

"I know Charlotte Browning pretty well. We were British team-mates at the World Schools Games. She's a nice girl and deserves her opportunity."

Charlotte, from Chichester, has visited Charlotte Best in hospital. She said: "I feel for Charlotte. She's in a bad way but I hope she will come back okay. I do feel fortunate. It wasn't the way I'd have chosen it to happen but I'm excited that I'm going."

Browning believes it is an "ideal opportunity" to learn from Holmes.

She said: "The Olympics is so fresh in her mind and it will be inspirational to be with her.

"I know Kelly went through a lot of bad times to get where she is. I've already experienced a few bad times myself."

Browning's call-up comes after a nightmare year because of "family and training issues" following her national under-17s indoor success at 1,500m in the New Year.

She said: "I got my invite from UK Athletics to attend the trial but it came in the middle of family and training issues and didn't go so well.

"I wasn't travelling to train at my club in Aldershot very much. I did things on my own at the wrong time and it affected my performances.

"It was a shame because everything had been going so well.

"I took a rest for a month and then based myself at Loughborough University to combine athletics with my A levels.

"It means I've got training on tap just 100 yards from my flat in the halls of residence and I get to train with two other girls who are going to South Africa, Rachael Thompson and Laura Finucane. Loughborough has got a great reputation as a sports college and it is certainly helping me."

Charlotte believes attending the camp will be a crucial stepping stone.

She said: "It's like Kelly is passing the torch to the next generation and I hope I can emulate her in the 2012 Olympics."

Also going are Joanne Finch (Glasgow), Jo Harper (Cannock and Staffordshire), Non Stanford (Swansea) and Danielle Walker (Sutton Coldfield).