DOUBLE Olympic champion Kelly Holmes admitted a lack of fitness had caught up with her as she made her final bow on a British track at the Norwich Union Grand Prix in Sheffield. 

Holmes, who won both the 800m and 1,500m in Athens last year, made her swansong appearance at the Don Valley Stadium where she had been determined to compete despite having her season disrupted by injury. 

A severe Achilles injury had prevented the 35-year-old from competing since the Norwich Union International in Glasgow in June. 

Holmes kept out of trouble during the 800m race and was in her familiar place near the back of the field at the bell, poised to strike with Brigita Langerholc leading. 

Holmes started to make her way through the field coming into the final straight but her lack of fitness was evident and she visibly tired to jog in ninth in two minutes 6.69 seconds. 

After the race, Holmes was in visible pain and was given a piggyback into the press conference. 

She said: "At the end of the day I was 50% there on one-and-a-half legs. 

"I was prepared to race and get stuck in there but for the last 250m I really felt my leg and thought 'it's not going to happen'. 

"I gave it one last push around the bend but I thought 'if I push too hard now that's it'.  People can write what they want.  That was not me racing." 

When asked whether it had been an emotional day, she said: "You could say that.  It was really emotional and I have been for the last few days. 

"I've been really frustrated and down because I didn't even expect to get round.  I hope the memory will override the pain and disappointment of not being on form." 

Although Holmes has previously not ruled out extending her career until next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, she was uncertain of what the future holds although she is having a scan on her leg tomorrow. 

"It's if I want to do it as well as being able to do it," she added. 

Holmes had made a spectacular entrance at the start of the meet when she was flown into the stadium in an army helicopter.