Olympic gold medalist Denise Lewis, OBE, has been appointed as the president of Commonwealth Games England (CGE).

The former heptathlete, who won gold at the 2000 Games in Sydney as well as two gold medals at the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games, takes over from Dame Kelly Holmes, who is retiring from the position she’s held since 2009.

Lewis will act as an ambassador for CGE, offering leadership and guidance to the organisation. She will also focus on developing the next generation of athletes while leading Team England into the next Commonwealth Games being held in Australia’s Gold Coast in 2018.

Team England topped the medals chart for Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games, taking home 58 gold medals, while England’s youth athletes came second in the medals table during Samoa 2015, winning 12 gold medals and 44 overall.

“I have devoted my life to track and field athletics and while that particular sport will always be my passion, it is great to have the opportunity to pass on some of my experience to athletes from a wider range of sports,” said Lewis.

CGE chair Ian Metcalfe said Lewis’ “experience as an athlete will inspire the next generation of Team England athletes and assist CGE in supporting them”.

“Denise will bring valuable experience to our senior leadership team and will provide vital guidance to Team England athletes as we look to match that remarkable medal-winning performance on the Gold Coast,” he added.

Separately, CGE is targeting a new title commercial partner to “support the next phase of its development”.