Daily Express

KATARINA: I WAS NOT GOING TO LEAVE OLYMPICS IN WHEELCHAIR

- By Paul Jeeves

DEVASTATED Katarina Johnson-Thompson has told of her agony after her Olympic dreams were shattered by injury.

The 28-year-old heptathlet­e was forced to quit with a calf injury during the 200m on Wednesday.

The Liverpool-born star, who had been sitting fifth overall after three events, refused a wheelchair and hobbled to the finish line.

She said: “I started the year in a wheelchair and I was not willing to end my Olympic campaign the same way… To be on my way to putting a decent score together [was] heartbreak­ing.

“I truly believed I was capable of winning a medal despite having up to half a year of missed training.”

It was the first heptathlon in nearly two years for Katarina, who had to have surgery on her Achilles in December.

 ?? Pictures: ANDY STENNING, MARTIN RICKETT/PA, CHRISTIAN HARTMANN/REUTERS, JUSTIN SETTERFIEL­D/GETTY, SERGEI BOBYLEV\TASS ?? Matt Walls, main and above, celebratin­g his gold in the omnium; below, Liam Heath competing in the kayak to earn his bronze
Imani Lansiquot hands on to Dina Asher-Smith in 100m relay heat; right, boxer Galal Yafai
Injury agony...Katarina, 28
Pictures: ANDY STENNING, MARTIN RICKETT/PA, CHRISTIAN HARTMANN/REUTERS, JUSTIN SETTERFIEL­D/GETTY, SERGEI BOBYLEV\TASS Matt Walls, main and above, celebratin­g his gold in the omnium; below, Liam Heath competing in the kayak to earn his bronze Imani Lansiquot hands on to Dina Asher-Smith in 100m relay heat; right, boxer Galal Yafai Injury agony...Katarina, 28

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