Dame Kelly Holmes has backed Great Britain's next crop of athletes to eventually fill the shoes of former Olympic heroes.

Holmes won the 800 metres and 1,500m at the 2004 Games in Athens but is among those who have retired from competition since.

"We're at a point in the cycle where a lot of established sports people have retired so there is a new crop coming through and need to make their mark," she said.

"There will be a championships when we see some surprises and breakthroughs.

"We've always done well in the Olympics and the expectations increase each year. We want to up that each year, especially going into 2012."

Since retiring from competing, Holmes has helped develop talent with "On Camp With Kelly" focusing on junior international athletes and their all-round development.

"Things like that probably have to happen more, when you teach them everything about themselves. There is so much more than what you see on the track," she said.

Holmes was in east London today with Olympic archer Alison Williamson and Paralympian Ade Adepitan in a ceremony to mark a year to go until the Beijing Games.

All three are part of Team B&Q and mentor aspiring Olympians and Paralympians while they work and train towards future Games.

Holmes remains optimistic about the future of Great Britain athletics, adding: "It's about how we can nurture talent and give them experiences so when they get to championships they know everything and have learnt everything.

"The funding available to youngsters needs to be used more in the right way so coaching support is at its best - we have the right coaches and medical services as well.

"We have an immense amount of talent and ability in the country and the more we can help mould youngsters into the complete athlete, the more success we will have."

Particularly with some established athletes retiring, Holmes is aware of the pressure placed upon younger competitors.

She added: "These youngsters have a lot more pressure on them, particularly with 2012. A lot of them go to university and there is that pressure academically.

"Giving them the lifeline of financial backing (with Team B&Q) but also allowing them to do their training is great, especially if they do not get funding for their own sport."

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