Olympic Champion Dame Kelly Homes Comes Out As Gay At Age 52

Dame Kelly Homeshas come out as gay in an interview with the Sunday Mirror. The 52-year-old British Olympic champion said, "I needed to do this now, for me. It was my decision. I'm nervous about saying it. I feel like I'm going to explode with excitement".

She added, "Sometimes I cry with relief. The moment this comes out, I'm essentially getting rid of that fear."Dame Holmes says she first realised she was gay at 17 years old after a female comrade kissed her while she was in the army. At the time gay people were banned from serving in the Forces, and her belongings were even raided in an attempt to out her - so she kept her sexual identity hidden.During her athletic career, Holmes specialised in long-distance running events and won gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

The Kent star, who lives in Hildenborough, which is near Tonbridge, has publicly spoken on her sexuality for the first time, and revealed that she has been living a "secret life" for decades.

Holmes' announcement also coincides with Pride Month, which celebrates members of the LGBTQI+ community around the world.