Kelly's double bid

Kelly Holmes will go for double gold at the Olympic Games after weeks of agonising over the toughest decision of her career.

Holmes today announced that she will run both the 800metres and 1500m in Athens, a demanding quest but one which boosts Britain's meagre medal opportunities when the athletics starts here at the Olympic Stadium on Friday.

The 34-year-old, who along with Paula Radcliffe represents Britain's best bet in the track and field programme, believes she can make the podium in both events even though she faces a merciless schedule of six races in eight days, starting with the 800m heats here on Friday evening.

Holmes left her decision to the last possible minute after admitting to having changed her mind several times at the British team's Cyprus holding camp about what to do.

Today was D-day with entries for the 800m having to be finalised. She still had not decided yesterday afternoon but one impressive session last night tipped the balance.

"It has been a very, very tough decision because of the way the programme falls," she said.

"The 1500m has always been a major goal for me but my 1500m training has left me in better 800m shape than I expected.

"I have looked at all my options and considering how well my training has gone this last week and in particular my final session, I am ready to give a 100 per cent performance over both distances. Both events will be very competitive and I will be looking to do my very best in both."

Holmes was flying off to Athens today to join her colleagues at the Olympic Village, including Radcliffe, who is said to be in excellent shape for Sunday's marathon.

UK Athletics performance director Max Jones has rubbished stories suggesting that Radcliffe has had an injury problem.

Radcliffe was reported yesterday to have been receiving treatment for a calf injury from sports specialist Hans Muller-Wohlfahrt.

But it emerged today that her visits to Germany were just precautionary.

Jones said: "She has had no problems that will stop her from racing on Sunday and I fully expect her to get the gold medal.

"She is in the village, she is running and she is tapering down her training for Sunday. She has not had any radical setback."