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Johnson-Thompson described her second international heptathlon triumph in Budapest final yr as “the best day of my life” after she defended a slim lead over favorite Anna Hall to finish a exceptional turnaround in her profession.
With expectations raised, it was time for redemption on the game’s largest stage.
London 2012 represented a studying expertise for the teenage Johnson-Thompson, who completed thirteenth as Ennis-Hill received gold on an unforgettable Super Saturday for Team GB, however it was sixth place in Rio that she felt marked a missed alternative.
It even brought about her to query whether or not she needed to proceed – lengthy earlier than the unlucky occasions of Tokyo.
“Rio 2016 was mental exhaustion. Tokyo 2020 was physical exhaustion,” Johnson-Thompson mentioned.
“After both of those Olympics, I wanted to give up for different reasons, but I’m glad I didn’t.
“I’m so pleased with the final three years and the staff round me. I would not be on the beginning line with out them.”
Speaking on BBC TV, Ennis-Hill said of Johnson-Thompson: “I keep in mind in Rio after we competed, she was virtually able to cease there. She had simply had sufficient.
“But she kept going for two more Olympics. It’s so hard to put into words how challenging that is and how well she has done.”
In Paris, these 12 years of worldwide championship expertise have been channelled into placing the document straight.
Johnson-Thompson produced a private greatest within the shot put, by far one in all her weakest disciplines, to stay in gold medal rivalry, earlier than working the 800m of her life as she amassed the second-best rating of her profession in pursuit of the last word prize.
Wearing a beaming smile, a silver tiara on her head and with a Union Jack draped over her shoulders, the achievement of going so near gold in any respect was not misplaced on her for a second as Thiam’s victory was confirmed.
Even this yr there had been concern surrounding preparations after Johnson-Thompson withdrew from the European Championships in June with a minor leg challenge, having contested solely three occasions however already fallen behind Thiam.
That was a essential sacrifice to make as she went after the one prize she desperately desired.
“I’m very grateful and emotional. I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’ve got no regrets,” Johnson-Thompson mentioned on Friday night.
“I’m just trying to take it all in and live in the moment. It’s the ultimate relief.
“I used to be working for gold, however to be sincere I had such combined feelings that I used to be type of grieving gold but in addition combating for gold. Then I used to be celebrating silver. So many combined feelings.
“Just to be on the podium is such an honour. Olympic cycles can be brutal, and I know that more than anyone.”
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