KATARINA Johnson-Thompson begins her fourth Olympic campaign this morning braced for another ride on the heptathlon roller-coaster.
The world champion is hopeful that this time she can claim the one major medal to have eluded her.
As a 19-year-old at London 2012, Johnson-Thompson placed 13th while Jessica Ennis-Hill stormed to glory. At Rio four years later, poor showings in the javelin and shot put meant she finished sixth.
In Tokyo she was carted off with a torn calf, having faced a race to compete because of a ruptured Achilles. But Johnson-Thompson insists she will not be defined by the most coveted title of all.
The 31-year-old said: "I don't feel like I need to win that medal in order to be happy."
Still, she is quietly confident ahead of an expected battle with reigning champion Nafi Thiam and American Anna Hall.
This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 08, 2024 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Villa icon was 'real-life superhero' who helped conquer the continent
STAN COLLYMORE hailed the late Gary Shaw as \"a real-life superhero\" and the main reason he started playing football.
'We got Champions League bibs and balls on Sunday... I can't tell you how proud and happy it ano made me'
McGINN LIVING A EURO DREAM
I'm one of the lucky ones' says Margie, 74, after three cancer battles
CANCER survivor Margie Shields says she feels lucky to be alive after beating the disease three times in 20 years.
Where are your eyes, world? Can you not see? People are dying every day
As the Ukraine conflict drags on, a passionate cris de coeur for our ongoing support for the embattled nation. But is its author a politician or soldier? No, she is a 15-year-old girl whose words should inspire us all, writes Lord Ashcroft
Firestorm as missiles hit border city
UKRAINE has pounded Russia's border region of Belgorod in a series of surprise missile strikes.
Putin boosts total soldier numbers by 180k to 1.5m
VLADIMIR Putin has ordered army chiefs to increase the number of Russian troops by 180,000 to 1.5 million.
Man City's defence over finance claims kicks off
THE landmark legal battle between the Premier League and Manchester City over 115 allegations that the club broke financial rules began yesterday behind closed doors in London.
Baby Reigndeer
Stalker hit rises above furore to win 4 gongs
'I will be glad when you gone... suspect's years of Trump hatred
THE alleged would-be assassin of Donald Trump formed a hatred for the former US president - despite voting him into the White House.
Painful proof my pal Esther's fight is right
DAME Esther Rantzen has been my friend, mentor, confidante, companion and let me unleash my true fan-girl here - inspiration for almost 30 years.