Britain's Kelly Holmes celebrates with her country's flag after winning the gold in the women's 1,500m final. Holmes was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year at a star-studded ceremony.(AFP photo)

Double Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes capped a memorable year when she was named BBC Sports Personality for 2004 on Sunday night.

Following her 800 and 1500 meters double triumph in Athens, the34-year-old former army physical training instructor topped the poll ahead of rower Matthew Pinsent and England cricketer Andrew Flintoff.

The result was announced to mark the end of a glitzy sporting review of the last 12 months at Television Centre in Shepherd's Bush.

And Holmes admitted it was the perfect way to end the year, saying: "It was the icing on the cake.

"It is the greatest sporting honour your country can give you -I was shaking like a leaf beforehand, I was so nervous.

"I have just been overwhelmed by the public. I never realised how many people were so touched by what I did. There were around 80,000 people at my homecoming parade, I will never ever forget that."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, fresh from the Gunners' 2-2 draw inthe Premiership with leaders Chelsea, was presented with the Coachof the Year award following his side's amazing season which saw them win the championship while remaining unbeaten. That record only came to an end when they lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford in October.

"Normally a manager is just someone who watches the game, sits on the bench, then if the team wins, it is because of him," reflected Wenger.

"I must say it was a lucky season and I would just like to onceagain thank all of the players who did so remarkably well, my staff, all the people at Arsenal, because there is a great, great spirit in the club."

For the first time it was the public who choose the team award.

There were five finalists - with Arsenal, England's cricketers,the victorious European Ryder Cup side, the Olympic 4x100m men's relay squad and the coxless four rowers all in contention.

And it was the heroics of Steve Williams, James Cracknell, Ed Coode and now four-time Olympic gold medalist Matthew Pinsent which won the viewers' vote.

Source: Xinhua