Team GB great Denise Lewis has urged Katarina Johnson-Thompson not to quit before the Paris Olympics following her Commonwealth gold.
Johnson-Thompson claimed her first heptathlon title for three years after successfully defending her Commonwealth Games crown at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham on Wednesday night.
The Liverpool-born 29-year-old triumphed with 6377 points ahead of Northern Ireland’s Kate O’Connor, who took silver, and England team-mate Jade O’Dowda, who claimed bronze. It is Johnson-Thompson’s first victory since winning the world title in 2019.
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Johnson-Thompson's heptathlon win marks her return to the top of an international podium after three years of injury and coaching changes. A ruptured Achilles effectively ended her Olympic dream last year as, even though she made it to Tokyo, she suffered a serious calf injury in the 200m and had to withdraw from the event.
While her injury nightmare meant she was also unable to defend her world title in Eugene last month. But following a memorable night in the Midlands, which was capped by her boyfriend, Andy Pozzibronze, taking in the 110m hurdles, Johnson-Thompson was urged to stick with the sport by Lewis.
She said: “Kat was very doubtful whether she was going to stay in the sport. But if she were to leave and not get the opportunity to stand on the Olympic podium I just wonder whether she would think something was missing from her illustrious career.”
Before she added: "You got the sign you were looking for. That it’s all worth it. To carry on and keep pushing through."
While Lewis also presented Johnson-Thompson with a bottle of bubbly after her win following a pre-competition promise.
“Denise has just delivered the goods," joked the Woolton-born athlete. “I can’t promise that’s going to last long!”
Johnson-Thompson choked back the tears following her win as she dedicated her achievement to her late grandmother, Mary, who sadly passed away last week.
“This was for her,” Johnson-Thompson said. “She unfortunately passed away a couple of days after I returned from Eugene so it’s been a tough week so I’m just happy to get through it.
“It’s been particularly hard because the last champs at Glasgow indoors she was here so it was quite hard not to see her face in the crowd.
“It feels incredibly especially this one, a home champs. I’ve really put a lot of work and effort and heart and soul to be here on this line especially after the tough turnaround in Eugene. So, I’m really happy.”
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