‘Happy to be here’ – Johnson-Thompson struggles on heptathlon return Figure caption, ‘Fought so hard’ – Katarina Johnson-Thompson held back by injuryByHarry Poole, BBC Sport journalist and Emily Salley, BBC Sport journalistPublished14 August 2026, 14:40 BSTUpdated 23 minutes agoGreat Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson reported injuries have held her back as she struggled on day one of the heptathlon at the European Championships.Two-time world champion Johnson-Thompson has never won a European heptathlon title, taking silver in 2018 behind Belgian great Nafissatou Thiam.While three-time Olympic champion Thiam is absent, Johnson-Thompson’s own injury issues meant her form leading into the championships was unknown.The 33-year-old had competed just once – in the shot put at an event in Loughborough in May – since winning world bronze in Tokyo last September.
And a lack of competition time was evident as she finished the first day of the heptathlon in 16th place – 324 points behind leader Adrianna Sulek-Schubert of Poland.
“This season’s been super difficult,” Johnson-Thompson told the BBC.
“I just love the home crowds and I fought so hard to be healthy and here on the start line, so I feel like all my energy and my efforts were pretty much to get here to the start line.
“Obviously I believe in myself and I trust my talent, but I just haven’t put in enough work unfortunately.”
