Holmes: 'I've nothing to apologise for'

Kelly Holmes was backtracking quicker than she performed on the track in Munich today as she unsuccessfully attempted to extricate herself from a drugs row.

Holmes, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist who was dumped out of the 1500 metres at the European Championships in the opening round this morning, insisted she had not pointed the finger at 800m winner er Jolanda Ceplak.

But the former Army sergeant refused to answer the Slovenian’s demand for a ’big apology’, saying: "I have nothing to apologise for."

Holmes had sparked the controversy moments after finishing third behind Ceplak in the 800m at the Olympic Stadium last night when she said on television and in an interview afterwards that she had done it 'clean'.

The 32-year-old also made reference to ’progression’ and although she did not name Ceplak it left observers in no doubt to whom she was referring.

It also did not go unnoticed that Holmes did not applaud her rival during the victory ceremony.

But after crashing out of the championships this morning, Holmes insisted: "I said I was proud of my achievements and proud I did it clean.

"I didn’t include anybody’s name and everyone is jumping to conclusions. There is so many things said about sport and drugs these days."

Asked if she was talking about Ceplak, she said: "I didn’t say that. Everyone is assuming I was talking about one person. What I said was I am proud to do what I did cleanly."

Again asked if she had accused Ceplak of taking drugs, she replied: "I didn’t say she did. Everybody has different ways of interpreting things."

The irony is that Holmes and Ceplak share the same race agent in Robert Wagner and they will clash over 800m at the Norwich Union Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on August 23.

There is no suggestion that Ceplak will seek legal redress though world and Olympic triple jumper Jonathan Edwards said today that Holmes could regret her remarks.

"It’s the preserve of middle and long distance runners to get their knickers in a twist over drugs," said Edwards.

"It was very ill-advised and its something Kelly might live to regret. But after a competition you sometimes say all sorts of things when you come off the track."

Ceplak had demanded a ‘big apology’ from Holmes when she heard of her comments after adding her first major outdoor title to the indoor crown she won in Vienna last March.

"She (Kelly) said she did it fairly, but I did too. I have never heard anything like that from Kelly before," she said.

"I considered her a friend and I did not expect her to say anything like this. After the semi-final I said ‘good luck’ too her and she said ‘good luck’ back."

Ceplak has carved five seconds off her personal best in the past two years, running one minute 55.19 seconds in Belgium last month, but that progression is not dramatic-enough to raise question marks.

The 25-year-old has never failed a drugs test and she also had a fine career in the junior ranks.

"I have worked hard for this," she added after winning by a second in 1:57.65.

"This is what I have trained 15 years for. But she cannot spoil my moment. I am totally happy."

Ceplak also revealed she had immediate words of encouragement from another member of the British camp, Colin Jackson, who also uses the services of Wagner.

"I spoke to Colin a few minutes after the race and he just said be happy with your work and don’t worry about what anyone else says," added Ceplak, who won in one minute 57.65seconds with Holmes two seconds adrift.

Holmes refused to blame the drugs row for her poor performance today as she bowed out of the 1500m, finishing fourth in 4:08.11.