You’ve thrown yourself into charity work since retiring and become a leading ambassador for sport, are you enjoying that position?
The fact I won a double gold has also allowed me to voice my opinions and open doors to things I’m really passionate about because suddenly people were listening. Had I got two silver medals I would never have had that platform. I’ve got my own charity now, the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, and I really enjoy the different roles I have now. I stand for anybody who wants to try and achieve their best in life, no matter where they come from or what they do. If I can inspire or encourage anyone then that’s great.

What was it like being made a Dame by the queen?
I’d got a MBE for my services to the British Army in 1998, but I’d never got an accolade like that through sport. And I’ve always been really patriotic, so to be recognised by the monarchy with the highest accolade for a female was so special. I’d never even dreamt of such recognition. Then I got Sports Personality of the Year, voted by the public, which was incredible as well.

Last month you were named President of the Commonwealth Games England, what plans do you have for your new role?
The Commonwealth Games have tried to modernise their whole look and appeal, and my role is hopefully going to help with the profile of that. I hope to be able to help shape the way forward for British sports, and try and get the public behind the Commonwealth Games and the England team in particular.

Do you think there should be more patriotism in this country?
Definitely. When World Cup football comes on, what do you see? Flags everywhere. Why can’t we get behind the Commonwealth team and do that, and be proud? We hide away from celebrating being British too much.

How do you think the country will respond to hosting the Olympic Games?
Well, we know how to party don’t we? It’s the biggest sporting event in the world and it’s our platform to show what we can do inside and outside the arenas. The Olympics is about talent and showing the best of Britain, so when the Games come we can show what we do best. I can’t wait!

There has been much criticism about the cost of hosting the Games, what’s your opinion on the situation?
It was always going to cost a lot and when you submit an initial bid and budget you’re going on previous Games, but actually you want to make it even more successful. There are so many areas involved that the budget is inevitably going to go up. London is going to be completely regenerated; businesses, housing, infrastructure, so many changes that are going to benefit a huge part of the country. Young people will benefit as well and I think it’s a really positive thing. Yes it’s a lot of money, but when it comes around people will think it’s worth it.

What inspired you to set up ‘On Camp with Kelly’?
Even before I’d won my medals in 2004 I wanted to pass my knowledge on to other youngsters that were coming through the sport to prepare them for what was to come. But my real inspiration for the camp was because when I was younger I was part of a big group of athletes who used to run – some of whom were better than me at that age – but they all gave up to go straight into work and have families. I always thought it was such a waste of talent, and it made me think about how I could help maintain the retention in athletics. So far it’s been a really good educational mentoring programme and I’ve been able to help lots of young athletes.

What advice would you give anyone looking to get involved in professional sports?
Joining a club is the first thing, then coaches can give you guidance on the sport and training, and how you can get better. You can only become an Olympic athlete by being a club athlete first. No one can just say ‘I’m going to go and be an Olympic athlete’, it’s a long journey, and you have to really want to do it. Parents should give children a kick to try all sports, because then they will find something that they are naturally good at and will stick at because they enjoy it. You never know what’s going to happen when they find something they really love.

Do you think the Government does enough to encourage children in sport or do you think they could do more?
They’re doing a lot now, in my role as National School Sports Champion I influenced the Government to give £100m to school sports when Gordon Brown first became Prime Minister, so investment has never been as much as now, but there’s always more that can be done. Sport can give young people confidence, self-esteem and teamwork, which are things you need in your life anyway.

What characteristics do you think took you to the top of athletics?
Being stubborn, absolutely dedicated, committed and having a huge amount of self-belief.

Is there anything you wish you’d known before you became a professional sportsperson?
All the things I now teach my Camp with Kelly athletes because it might have saved me a lot of injuries, heartache and I might of got to the top a bit quicker. But I would never turn back the clock on what I’ve done, because it’s made me who I am.

As an athlete you’re always at the mercy of injuries, do you think that’s the hardest thing about the profession?
It plays a massive part in how you feel, because you work so hard to get yourself to the peak of fitness or development in your sport, and the only things that can let you down are either your head or your body. For most people their head lets them down because they stop being themselves, or they doubt themselves, but with me it was my body. There’s a fine line between being at your absolute peak of fitness and crossing over into injury and it’s really hard to deal with, especially as the line constantly moves. It’s all about management; you have to learn how your body reacts.

How do you keep healthy these days?
I still do a little bit of running, not every day or anything but just to keep ticking over, and I do rock climbing quite a lot now. One of my ambitions is to have my own outward bounds centre, even if it’s only on a small scale, but I want to get some credibility in that field first because if I’m into something then I like doing it properly.