Katarina Johnson-Thompson suffers injury setback ahead of Olympics

Heptathlon world champion has sustained an Achilles tendon injury

Shrivathsa Sridhar
Monday 01 February 2021 04:20 EST
Comments
Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be out of action until March
Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be out of action until March (AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be out of action until March after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury in training at the end of the year but she says the issue has not affected her plans for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 28-year-old emerged as one of Britain's top gold medal prospects for Tokyo after winning the world title in Doha in 2019 ahead of Rio Olympics champion Nafi Thiam of Belgium.

Johnson-Thompson said she was recovering back home in Liverpool and that her protective boot was due to come off on Monday. She would then head to her training base in Montpellier, France.

"I have been waiting for the right time to share this with you and after a month of positive progress now feels like a good moment. 

"At the very end of last year I sustained an injury to my achilles. As a result of that I have spent the last few weeks in a boot which will be coming off tomorrow. My rehab is going as well as could be expected and whilst I am currently at home in Liverpool focusing on my recovery I will be heading back to Montpellier to begin training again in March. 

"Understandably this is not the start to the year I was hoping for but I’m pleased to be able to share this off the back of a positive few weeks. I have a great team around me and I would like to thank them, along with all of my partners, for their unwavering support through what has been a difficult year for everyone. 

“This news doesn’t impact my plans for 2021, Tokyo is still very much the focus and I look forward to representing Great Britain in my 3rd Olympic Games. Thanks for all your support!”

Johnson-Thompson finished 14th at the 2012 London Olympics and was sixth in Rio four years later. The Tokyo Games are due to begin on 23 July.

Reuters

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in