So much for a rivalry to compare with Coe versus Ovett. When Jessica Ennis-Hill and Katarina Johnson-Thompson sat down together to promote Saturday’s Great CityGames in Manchester they ended up trading love-bombs not barbs – and then went for lunch together.
Ennis-Hill, the 2012 Olympic heptathlon champion, admits she is nervous about her comeback in the 100m hurdles after nearly two years out due to injury and the birth of her son Reggie. But Johnson-Thompson, who led the heptathlon rankings in 2014, believes that her rival can return to her best.
“I respect Jess as an athlete so much,” she said. “I remember at London 2012, when she came through the line in the 800m, I was tearing up and it’s crazy to think that was three years ago. It still feels fresh in my head.”
Then, turning to face Ennis-Hill, she added: “I’m fully expecting you to come back and take your place.”
Ennis-Hill, meanwhile, admits that she could finish last in her comeback race against the British 100m hurdles record holder, Tiffany Porter, and Lucy Hatton and Serita Solomon, who both won 60m hurdles medals at the European Indoor Championships in March.
“I’ve always been the kind of athlete that would rather race against the best and see where I am,” said Ennis-Hill. “I don’t want to just come back and start at a lower level and perhaps have a misconception of where I am.
“I’m obviously not in 12.5sec shape. But it’s not clear where I am just yet. That’s why I need to race.”
Johnson-Thompson, who will compete in the 200m hurdles in Manchester, batted away suggestions that she will be the favourite when the pair go head-to-head in the heptathlon in Götzis, Austria later this month.
“I enjoy not being the favourite and chasing people,” she said. “Even in training I’m like that. I prefer running with the boys; being at the back chasing them in running sessions. It’s very weird for me to go into a competition as near enough favourite. Even if Jess wasn’t coming back it would be difficult for me to get my head round.”
Ennis admitted she had been impressed watching Johnson-Thompson break her British pentathlon record at the European Indoors Championships in March.
“It was a weird feeling sitting at home watching her break my record,” she said, laughing. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed. I was sad to see it go. But the way Kat did it, smashed it, almost got the world record, that’s how you do it.”
