Dame Kelly Holmes believes Birchfield Harriers heptathlete Kelly Sotherton can become a national hero at next months Olympic Games in Beijing.

Holmes believes Sotherton, along with cyclist Victoria Pendleton and 400 metres world champion Christine Ohuruogu can capture the imagination as she did when she won two golds in Athens four years ago.

Speaking at the launch of Kellogg's Wake Up To Breakfast campaign, Holmes said: "It's open for Kelly Sotherton to win the gold, with Carolina Kluft and Jessica Ennis out, it's a big chance she could pull it off.

"Christine proved her point by becoming world champion, now there is expectation - probably put on herself more than anyone. She is certainly one of the biggest medal hopes for athletics but the Olympics is a different thing and anything can happen.

"As for Victoria Pendleton, she is trying to ignore the expectation on her shoulders that comes with being world champion.  She's so strong, powerful, focused but also level headed, she has a real bright future. She could be the real big star of the game."

Holmes has backed Britain's athletes to put the Olympics in the headlines for the right reasons. The build-up to China has so far been dominated by Dwain Chambers' attempt to overturn his Games ban and fears of a doping culture in the host country, but Holmes said: "We've got such brilliant team members.

"Cycling will dominate from a Great Britain point of view, swimming should show they'll be up there and athletics could be there for five or six medals.

"There are some really positive things about what the Games will bring which I think will overshadow the negatives, hopefully they have been kicked into touch.

"Negative things that come out are part and parcel but those who are absolutely dedicated to sport and do it to be proud of representing their country - that is the only thing in their minds."