Johnson-Thompson described her second international heptathlon triumph in Budapest final 12 months as “the very best day of my life” after she defended a slim lead over favorite Anna Corridor to finish a outstanding 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 gained gold on an unforgettable Tremendous Saturday for Workforce GB, but it surely was sixth place in Rio that she felt marked a missed alternative.
It even precipitated her to query whether or not she needed to proceed – lengthy earlier than the unlucky occasions of Tokyo.
“Rio 2016 was psychological exhaustion. Tokyo 2020 was bodily exhaustion,” Johnson-Thompson mentioned.
“After each of these Olympics, I needed to surrender for various causes, however I am glad I did not.
“I am so proud of the final three years and the group round me. I would not be on the beginning line with out them.”
Talking on BBC TV, Ennis-Hill mentioned of Johnson-Thompson: “I keep in mind in Rio after we competed, she was virtually able to cease there. She had simply had sufficient.
“However she stored going for 2 extra Olympics. It is so onerous to place into phrases how difficult that’s and the way nicely she has completed.”
In Paris, these 12 years of world championship expertise have been channelled into placing the document straight.
Johnson-Thompson produced a private finest within the shot put, by far considered one of her weakest disciplines, to stay in gold medal competition, earlier than operating the 800m of her life as she amassed the second-best rating of her profession in pursuit of the last word prize.
Carrying 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 12 months there had been concern surrounding preparations after Johnson-Thompson withdrew from the European Championships in June with a minor leg problem, having contested solely three occasions however already fallen behind Thiam.
That was a crucial sacrifice to make as she went after the one prize she desperately desired.
“I am very grateful and emotional. I am feeling overwhelmed. I’ve acquired no regrets,” Johnson-Thompson mentioned on Friday night.
“I am simply making an attempt to take all of it in and reside within the second. It is the last word aid.
“I used to be operating for gold, however to be trustworthy I had such combined feelings that I used to be type of grieving gold but additionally combating for gold. Then I used to be celebrating silver. So many combined feelings.
“Simply to be on the rostrum is such an honour. Olympic cycles will be brutal, and I do know that greater than anybody.”
