Johnson-Thompson described her second international heptathlon triumph in Budapest final 12 months as “the most effective 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 gained 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 on her to query whether or not she wished to proceed – lengthy earlier than the unlucky occasions of Tokyo.
“Rio 2016 was psychological exhaustion. Tokyo 2020 was bodily exhaustion,” Johnson-Thompson stated.
“After each of these Olympics, I wished to give up for various causes, however I’m glad I did not.
“I’m so proud of the final three years and the workforce round me. I would not be on the beginning line with out them.”
Speaking on BBC TV, Ennis-Hill stated of Johnson-Thompson: “I bear in mind in Rio after we competed, she was nearly able to cease there. She had simply had sufficient.
“But she stored going for 2 extra Olympics. It’s so arduous to place into phrases how difficult that’s and the way effectively she has finished.”
In Paris, these 12 years of world championship expertise had been channelled into placing the report 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 operating 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 12 months there had been concern surrounding preparations after Johnson-Thompson withdrew from the European Championships in June with a minor leg subject, 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’m very grateful and emotional. I’m feeling overwhelmed. I’ve acquired no regrets,” Johnson-Thompson stated on Friday night.
“I’m simply making an attempt to take all of it in and reside within the second. It’s the last word reduction.
“I used to be operating for gold, however to be trustworthy I had such blended feelings that I used to be kind of grieving gold but in addition combating for gold. Then I used to be celebrating silver. So many blended feelings.
“Just to be on the rostrum is such an honour. Olympic cycles will be brutal, and I do know that greater than anybody.”
