Katarina Johnson-Thompson withdraws from European Championship heptathlon
The two-time world champion was second after the first two events but picked up an injury in her right leg
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Katarina Johnson-Thompson has withdrawn from the heptathlon at the European Championships after competing in the first morning of competition in Rome.
The Liverpool-born heptathlete trailed two-time Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam by 143 points following the 100 metres hurdles and the high jump.
Johnson-Thompson, the reigning world champion, ran 13.66 seconds in the hurdles, more than half a second down on her personal best, before jumping 1.83 metres in the high jump.
However, she has developed a niggle in her right leg and has decided to be withdraw as a cautionary measure ahead of the Olympics this summer.
Her coach, Aston Moore, saids: “In light of the proximity of the Olympic Games we have chosen to bank what we have learned from this first day of competition and withdraw from the heptathlon.
“We don’t want to risk losing any time from training which could be the result if she was to carry competing with it for another day.”
The European Championships continue with fellow British athlete Jade O’Dowda two places behind Johnson-Thompson before her withdrawal.
Elsewhere, Jemma Reekie led three British qualifiers into the women’s 1,500m final along with Georgia Bell and Katie Snowden, while Elliot Giles and Thomas Randolph reached the men’s 800m semi-finals.
Lawrence Okoye reached the men’s discus final, Jacob Fincham-Dukes jumped 8.18m to progress in the men’s long jump and Lizzie Bird made the women’s steeplechase final.
Additional reporting by PA.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments