8th August 2024

Johnson-Thompson makes strong start to heptathlon at Paris 2024

Katarina Johnson-Thompson made an impressive start to the women’s heptathlon while both British 4x100m relay teams made it through to their respective finals at the Stade de France.

Johnson-Thompson (Aston Moore, Liverpool Harriers) recorded season’s bests in the 100m hurdles and high jump to hit the summit after two events, with shot put and 200m to follow in Thursday’s evening session.

The two-time world champion began in the opening heat of the 100m hurdles and came home second in 13.40, with Jade O’Dowda (John Lane, Newham & Essex Beagles) a place further back in a season’s best 13.53, her third quickest time ever.

Johnson-Thompson then cleared 1.92m in the high jump, her best performance since 2019, at the third attempt to match Nafissatou Thiam, who sits 24 points behind Johnson-Thompson at this early stage.

O’Dowda cleared 1.80m to earn 924 points and occupies ninth spot with five events remaining.

That felt good.

1.92m ✨#WhereItStarts #Athletics pic.twitter.com/ZWvzjMCer1

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) August 8, 2024

In the women’s 4x100m, Bianca Williams (Linford Christie, Thames Valley), Imani Lansiquot (Ryan Freckleton, Sutton & District), Amy Hunt (Marco Airale, Charnwood), Desiree Henry (Steve Fudge, Enfield & Haringey) laid down a marker by winning their heat in 42.03 to make it through to Friday night’s final.

Henry held off a challenge from France’s Chloe Galet on the final leg to secure a confident passage through, with defending champions Jamaica back in third.

“We are unbelievably confident,” said Lansiquot. “This is not just a week or two weeks or a year in the making, this is eight years in the making.

“The heritage we have and the confidence we have as a team is through the roof – the final will be very exciting, for sure.”

Women’s 4x100m did not to come to play😤

Outstanding work from @BiancaaWills, @ImaniLara, @amyghunt and @DesireeLHenry to get the baton round in 42.03 and win their heat!#WhereItStarts pic.twitter.com/qU3sAI8YJh

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) August 8, 2024

Jeremiah Azu (Marco Airale, Cardiff), Louie Hinchliffe (Carl Lewis, Sheffield & Dearne), Richard Kilty (Gateshead), Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (Ryan Freckleton, Newham & Essex Beagles) lined up in the men’s 4x100m and combined to progress in 38.04, good enough for third in the heat.

Their final is also on Friday evening and Mitchell-Blake said: “The main objective was to qualify.

“We have done that, we’ve run in a competitive race and we’ve come out of it healthy. It was a safe run, it was a clean run.

“We might have to be a bit more adventurous in the final and reap the rewards of that. We are confident in our ability to step it up.”