Katarina Johnson-Thompson overcame injuries and doubters - now is back on quest for overdue Olympic medal

A calf tear halted KJT’s hopes in Tokyo but she returned to the podium at the World Championships

KJT celebrating gold at the World Championships (Getty Images)

All Katarina Johnson-Thompson wants is a starting chance at Paris 2024.

The 31-year-old heptathlon hero did it for the underdogs at last year’s World Championships and felt more weight on her shoulders than ever when many had written her off.

An Achilles rupture, followed by crashing out of Tokyo in 2021 with a calf injury, meant Johnson-Thompson had a point to prove last summer. Prove it she did, but KJT is done with demonstrating and ready to end her search for an Olympic medal at the fourth attempt.

She said: “I’m healthy, I’m happy, I’m in a place where I’ve not been for many years and that’s what I want from Paris, to stand on that starting line with a chance.

“I don’t feel like I’ve got anything to prove anymore, it’s just a really nice place to be in. I feel pressure when no one expects you to do anything more because that part has been quite sad in recent memory. When you do get that pressure on you, it’s quite a good thing because people expect you to do great things and it only emphasises your potential.

“The more people that want you to do well, the better you do is how I see it. I am the only one who is going to be left looking at my performance after Paris so I don’t look a lot at external factors negatively.”

Johnson-Thompson’s only heptathlon this year in preparation for Paris could be at the European Athletics Championships in June.

Reigning Olympic champion Nafi Thiam has already confirmed her intention to compete in the Italian capital, meaning the pair could be set for a high-profile duel just weeks before the Games. If Johnson-Thompson can conquer Rome, it will leave just the Olympics for a complete collection of titles.

Johnson-Thompson set her stall out with an indoor shot put personal best at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in February as she continues to inspire a new generation of talent, 12 years on from her Olympic debut at London 2012.

KJT took gold at the World Championships (Getty Images)

Speaking at the Youth Sport Trust Conference Awards, sponsored by Sports Directory and The LEGO Group, she said: “I don’t know who I am without sport and that came from PE lessons doing high jump.

“From that young age I found an identity through it where I was known for being good at something.

“I started at such a young age to develop that identity but now when I look back I realise I don’t need anything else. I have a huge resume of different experiences, different challenges, some of my hardest moments that come through being an athlete.”

The Youth Sport Trust is the UK’s leading charity improving every young person’s education and development through sport and play.

Johnson-Thompson presented seven awards to schools, trusts and organisations across the country who work tirelessly to keep sport integral to young people’s development.

She added: “It felt great to present the awards tonight, it’s a really good evening and event.

“It’s what I do and how I’ve been brought up, youth development and all the competitions that I did through this organisation as a kid. It’s good to be here and be giving back.”

::The Youth Sport Trust Annual Conference Awards celebrate schools, settings, trusts, and individuals who, working alongside Youth Sport Trust, have made a real and impactful change to the lives of young people. Find out how the Youth Sport Trust is building brighter futures for children through sport and play athttps://www.youthsporttrust.org/.