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Friday evening at the Stade de France will see one of Team GB‘s biggest stars have her latest Olympic dream decided – as two days of events for heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson culminates in the 800metres at 7:25pm.
The 31-year-old star from Liverpool – affectionately known as ‘KJ-T’ – has her heart set on an Olympic medal, and has put herself in the perfect position for a podium finish with strong performances in the long jump and javelin this morning.
While the coveted gold medal is looking a stretch – she’ll need a huge win to catch defending Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam of Belgium on points, a silver or bronze medal is certainly on the cards.
Olympic gold is the only accolade that has eluded the British competitor during her illustrious sporting career – although she’s claimed gold at the past two World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
Perfectly placed: Katrina Johnson-Thompson will go for Olympic gold tonight in the final event of the women’s heptathlon at Stade de France, hoping to get the one medal that has eluded her so far in a glittering career
As every Olympian will tell you, behind every great athlete is a vast team of people, from first coaches to romantic partners and supportive family members.
Dating a fellow Team GB star has almost certainly helped keep one of Britain’s biggest track and field stars in the running for a medal.
KJ-T shares her life with just-retired British hurdler Andrew Pozzi, who knows exactly what it feels like to win a gold medal, having conquered both the European and World Indoor Championships.
The heptathlete and the 32-year-old have been dating for six years having met at track meets, but don’t yet live together, with Katarina residing in Loughborough while Andrew lives in Cardiff.
In the stands supporting the 31-year-old – known as KJT – will be her long-term boyfriend Andrew Pozzi; the pair have been dating since 2018
Former Team GB hurdler Pozzi regularly posts photos of his superstar athlete girlfriend on his Instagram account, showing their travels together
Sporting love: The pair pictured watching the ATP World Tour tennis finals in 2019; the couple don’t yet live together though, with Katarina residing in Loughborough while Andrew lives in Cardiff
Pozzi, 32, retired from hurdles after his own successful career, which saw him win gold at both the European and World Indoor Championships
Pozzi’s Instagram account makes regular mention of his superstar girlfriend though, with the former athlete sharing snaps of the couple on holidays, at weddings and attending the Sports Personality of the Year awards together; last year KJ-T came third in the competition.
On her most recent birthday, a doting Pozzi posted a note to his 24,000 Instagram followers saying: ‘Happy birthday to the best’ alongside a cute montage of the couple together.
And also willing her on is Jodie Comer; the pair famously attended St Julie’s Catholic girl’s school together – and have remained supportive of each others’ careers
KJ-T says her close friend’s success in the acting world has spurred her on on in her own career
Inspiration: In 2017, Katarina lost her father Ricardo, and says the grief for her dad has spurred her on to achieve on the track. Right: Pictured with her mother Tracy
And there’s another high profile face cheering on KJ-T as she attempts to find a place on the podium this evening.
Killing Eve star Jodie Comer, 31, has been vocal in her support of her old school friend, as both women have gone on to find huge success albeit ‘in different worlds‘.
The pair were close friends throughout their school years where they both attended St Julie’s Catholic girl’s school on Merseyside.
While Katarina went on to attend Liverpool John Moores University to study Sports Science, Comer began the acting career that has propelled her to global stardom.
Speaking to The Athletic last year, KJ-T said of Comer: ‘She’s an incredible actor and friend. To see her pushing the boundaries and doing things she’s passionate about in such a phenomenal way and for the whole world to see.
‘I’ve been a witness to it my whole life and I’m just so happy the world is finally seeing the brilliance we have. She really does make me proud and inspires me to be a better athlete.’
The 31-year-old is one of the strong favourites to claim a medal having won gold at the past two World Championships and Commonwealth Games
KJ-T and her man pictured in Tokyo in 2021; Pozzi competed in the 2012 Olympic hurdles in London
KJ-T’s close family has been in the stands at the Stade de France over the last two days cheering on the heptathlete.
The Team GB athlete was born to Ricardo Thompson and Tracy Johnson in Liverpool. Her father was a production assistant at the Bahamian broadcaster ZNS-TV, whilst her mother was a professional dancer.
Although Katarina was born in Liverpool she spent the first year of her life in the Bahamas before her family moved back to England, settling in Halewood.
In 2017, the athlete lost her dad, and has been vocal in how her grief has spurred her on to achieve her dream of Olympic glory.
Speaking to the Guardian in 2018, she said: ‘I am proud of myself because there have been some hard and difficult times.
‘But Dad definitely spurred me on this year. I wanted to start winning things. I wanted my family to see me doing well. And I think I have done that for sure.’
