Katarina Johnson-Thompson downplays concerns about fitness ahead of the Olympics

Katarina Johnson-Thompson has played down concerns about her fitness ahead of this year’s Summer Olympics in Paris.

The heptathlon world champion withdrew from the European Championships held in Rome earlier this month due to a minor leg injury.

The decision to withdraw was described as precautionary and the 31-year-old returned to action on Saturday at the Microplus UK Athletics Championships in Manchester.

“I feel good,” Johnson-Thompson said after competing in the individual javelin throw. “All is well.

“I feel healthy now. It was a precaution. I don’t want anything to get in the way of my chance to win a medal this year.

Even though Johnson-Thompson was a double world champion, he never stood on the Olympic podium.

The Paris race will be her fourth chance to win glory in the most prestigious sporting event. Her last attempt, in Tokyo three years ago, was cut short by injury.

Having already secured his qualifying mark, he is not under the same pressure to compete in Manchester this weekend in what is also an Olympic trial event.

Its goal is therefore simply to improve form and physical fitness in selected competitions.

KJT in the building

The first javelin in the hands of an Olympian #WhereItBegins | #UKChamps2024 photo.twitter.com/1J0nge0hmN

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) June 29, 2024

On Sunday, she is scheduled to take part in the 200-meter race and the high jump, but due to a schedule conflict, she will only be able to compete in one of them.

“My weekend is a bit different to everyone else’s,” said the Liverpool native. “My expectations are just to see what I can do and if I can do some of the things I’ve been doing in training.

“So instead of going for qualifying or a big result, I just want to work on a few weaknesses.”

Johnson-Thompson was eliminated from the javelin after three throws with a best result of 42.38m.

Bekah Walton won the event for the fourth year in a row, but her best result of 54.11 was not enough for Olympic qualification.