Katarina Johnson-Thompson (Aston Moore, Liverpool Harriers) holds an overnight lead in the Olympic heptathlon after a superb opening-day display.

The reigning world champion began the day with a season’s best in the 100m hurdles and a 1.92m clearance in the high jump, her best since 2019.

In the first event of the evening session, Johnson-Thompson uncorked a colossal lifetime best in the shot put with 14.44m.

It added more than half a metre to her previous PB, which stood at 13.92.

The Liverpudlian clocked 23.44s to win her 200m race and end the day on 4055 points, with Tokyo gold medallist Nafissatou Thiam second on 4007.

There was plenty to be proud of for Jade O’Dowda (John Lane, Newham & Essex Beagles) on her first day of Olympic competition.

On top after day one 👊

Katarina Johnson-Thompson leads the heptathlon by 48 points after four events (4055).

Jade O’Dowda is in 17th with 3648 points.#WhereItStarts | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Q1maSGsiyZ

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) August 8, 2024

After 13.53 over the sticks, in the same heat as Johnson-Thompson, O’Dowda put together a solid series in the high jump and cleared 1.80m.

She threw the shot 13.10m and then ran 24.97 for 200m to end the day in 17th place with 3648 points.

Meanwhile, Laura Muir (Steve Vernon, Dundee Hawkhill) and Georgia Bell (Trevor Painter, Belgrave) have both booked spots in what promises to be an incredible women’s 1500m final.

With Muir and Bell both featuring in the first semi-final, 5000m world record holder Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia led the field through the first 800m in 2:05. Muir took closer order with two laps to go, leading when they took the bell.

Kenya’s reigning Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon eased into first place on the final lap but both Muir and Bell held top-six spots, the former crossing in fourth and the latter finishing strongly to place second.

Bell is now an Olympic finalist having quit the sport for five years and rediscovered her love of running during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I am very happy to be in the final,” said Bell. “I knew it was going to be a hard race, but happy to have something a little bit extra at the end.

Come here often?

Georgia Bell (3:59.49) reaches her first Olympic 1500m final, joined by Laura Muir (3:59.83) who reaches a third final in a row 👏#WhereItStarts pic.twitter.com/gUWqVbYv4k

— British Athletics (@BritAthletics) August 8, 2024

“I’ve stopped putting limits on what is achievable. Every race I keep improving, and I’m growing in confidence. I have got a really good support structure and I have full trust in the programme.”

Muir has lowered her own British record already this year and continues to produce at the very highest level, reaching her third Olympic final in the 1500m.

“It is always very easy to think about the final before you get there, but you’ve got to get there first,” said Muir.

“This event has never been stronger so I didn’t want to take anything for granted. I am pretty chuffed with that.”

In the second semi-final, Revee Walcott-Nolan (Thomas Dreißigacker; Luton) ran a personal best time of 3:58.08.

Having gone through the repechage, the two-time Olympian climbed to sixth on the British all-time list but unfortunately was only good enough for ninth place and she exited the competition.

“I am happy with the PB,” said Walcott-Nolan. “That shows I have done my best, especially with the cards I have been dealt.

“I have learned so many lessons from this experience and I’m happy to finish on somewhat of a high.”