17 April 2005	Sunday	07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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LONDON, April 16: Fully recovered from injuries, double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes has the dream of a world championships title in her sights this season, the middle-distance runner said on Friday. The Briton who struck gold in the 800 and 1500 metres in Athens last August has battled with fitness problems throughout her career and most recently suffered a hamstring strain.

That injury forced her to miss last month’s European Indoor Championships and she spent dark days battling the frustration.

Holmes had hinted she would not race at the 2005 world championships in Helsinki in August and there was speculation she might quit athletics.

But rehabilitation and patience has paid off and the 34-year-old hopes to be back competing at the beginning of June.

“The hamstring has got a lot better and I am back in training, full training,” she smiled on Friday.

“I’m looking to start racing in June and hopefully my first race will be in Glasgow on June 5th.

“So yeah, everything is going fine.”

The athlete, in central London to launch a new running shoe, has said many times since her success in Athens that she doubted her desire for more medals.—Reuters