Johnson-Thompson boosts heptathlon medal hopes

Greg Rutherford, Olympic long jump champion, told BBC TV that "It's conscionable not rather determination for Kat astatine the moment," adding that Johnson‑Thompson’s current fitness level remains unclear. He continued, "She doesn't truly know, I don't think, wherever she is [fitness-wise]. She's been grooming of people but until you get into contention and accent the body, you don't know." He concluded, "It's a bully show nether the small that we cognize astir what signifier she is presently in." Johnson‑Thompson secured her sixth career podium at the previous year’s World Championships, marking her third top‑three finish in as many seasons after overcoming a severe Achilles rupture. She opted out of the Commonwealth Games last month to concentrate on preparing for the European Championships after dealing with an unspecified injury. The heptathlon gets underway early, with the shot put and 200 m completing day one; the long jump, javelin and 800 m follow on Saturday. Johnson‑Thompson aims to limit the damage in the shot put—typically one of her weaker disciplines—as she trails Sulek‑Schubert by 141 points and sits 80 points adrift of a medal position.