Katarina Johnson-Thompson received comfort from Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson and numerous others after her setback at the European Athletics Championships. The 33-year-old posted an emotional message following her 21st-place finish in the heptathlon.
Career highlights and injury struggle
The Team GB athlete is a two-time World Championships gold medallist and has also secured victory twice at both the European Indoor Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Despite her previous successes, Johnson-Thompson has yet to capture gold at the European Championships, with her strongest performance being a silver medal in 2018.
She continues to rank amongst the world's finest heptathletes, having won silver at the 2024 Olympics. Nevertheless, in a moving social media update, Johnson-Thompson revealed that she was simply grateful to have completed her event in Birmingham despite battling injury.
Emotional Instagram post
Writing on Instagram, Johnson-Thompson said: "Difficult to put into words what the last few days have been like. Being out there but not at your best is such a challenge. I placed so much importance on this competition and it's taken so much to make it to the start line that I had to see it through."
Responding to Johnson-Thompson's Instagram post following the event, Olympic 800m champion Hodgkinson, who took silver in Birmingham, wrote: "Queen", alongside a red heart and holding-back-tears smiling emoji. The Liverpool athlete also received support from actor and close friend Jodie Comer, who was amongst those who liked her post, along with fellow Scouse icons Jamie Carragher and Natasha Jonas.
Support from rivals and fans
Writing on Instagram, Johnson-Thompson continued: "It's never what you want as a competitor, however I'm proud that could complete the heptathlon in a stadium that means so much to me. Thank you so much to the team of people that got me to the start line and over the finish line."
"I'm lucky to have people who are willing to put so much time and effort into me fulfilling my dreams. Not just this season but throughout my entire career."
"Thank you to all the fans inside the stadium that showed up and supported. Congratulations to all the hep girls, such an amazing heptathlon to be a part of with depth and talent across every event!"
Newly crowned European champion Kate O'Connor, who clinched gold for Ireland, demonstrated the deep mutual admiration amongst elite heptathletes by commenting, "The queen always."
Switzerland's Annik Kalin, who finished fourth in the competition, described Johnson-Thompson as "the biggest inspiration". Team GB pole vaulter Molly Caudery echoed Kalin's sentiments, while German heptathlete Sophie Weissenberg added: "You're unmatched, Kat! ! Meant so much to me to compete with you again!"
Team GB's overall performance
Team GB ultimately finished second in the overall medal table as the championships drew to a close on Sunday. Only Italy surpassed their tally of nine gold medals, with Team GB also securing eight silvers and two bronzes in Birmingham.
Amy Hunt cemented her status as a standout performer after scooping four gold medals throughout the European Championships. The 24-year-old sprinter triumphed in both the 100m and 200m events, while also claiming gold in the women's and mixed 4x100m relays.
