Katarina Johnson-Thompson: British heptathlete still has hunger to compete at top

Johnson-Thompson achieved her sixth global podium with bronze at last year’s World Championships – and her third in as many years as she returned to the pinnacle of the sport following a career-threatening Achilles rupture.

But, prior to these championships, she had competed just once since – in the shot put at an event in Loughborough in May – and withdrew from last month’s Commonwealth Games to ensure she could compete here.

Having competed at Alexander Stadium as a junior, Johnson-Thompson was determined to make the start line and soak in the adoration of the home crowd.

While she has never won a European title, there are further opportunities for global honours on the horizon, with a World Championships and Olympic Games in the next two years.

“It is obviously far from my best. Not the competition I would have wanted, but in a way it is,” Johnson-Thompson said.

“It was important to me that I finished. I wanted to do it for [my team] as we worked so hard to be here.

“After the initial shock of the hurdles and the 200m, I definitely came back with a different mindset today to soak it all in.

“I have done so many championships now. Since 2012 I have only ever missed one.

“It is important to me, I enjoy the experience now more than ever.”