'I felt like I could breathe again': British Olympic champion comes out as gay

At times when many athletes are coming out in open over their sexual orientation, Britain's renowned Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes is the latest one to reveal her sexuality.

Olympic legend Holmes also revealed how she struggled with her mental health in order to keep her several same-sex relationships secret given she was serving in the Women's Royal Army Corps.

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Till the start of the 21st century, it was illegal for gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve in the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

And because of that, the Olympic gold-medalist had to go through mental health issues in a fear of getting court marshalled. However, the law has been changed since then.

Dame Kelly also added that she realised she was gay at the age of 17 after she kissed a fellow female soldier. While her family and friends have known that since 1997.

"I felt like I could breathe again, one little call could have saved 28 years of heartache," the 52-year-old Olympic legend said while reliving her sexuality.

Notably. Holmes made a double gold medal-winning performance in the 800 metres and 1500 metres athletics event during the Athens Olympics. In 2005, the year she retired from athletics, she was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II.