When is Katarina Johnson-Thompson competing in the Commonwealth Games 2022? Need-to-know dates and times
The GB star has confirmed her place in the competition
After multiple injuries and disappointment at the World Athletics Championships, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson is hoping to defend her Commonwealth title.
Since Dina Asher-Smith announced she won't be competing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, England's hopes of a medal in the women's athletics are firmly pinned on heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson. The Liverpudlian burst onto the international stage at the 2012 Olympics and since then has been a darling of British athletics, with fans of the sport eager to know everything about her, from where she grew up to who is Katarina Johnson-Thompson's boyfriend.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson will be competing on two of the 11 Game days in Birmingham, and here's everything you need to about when and where you can watch the Commonwealth Games performance.
When is Katarina Johnson-Thompson competing in the Commonwealth Games?
Katarina Johnson-Thompson will begin competing in the heptathlon on Tuesday 2 August in the athletics morning session, which takes place from 10am until 1.30pm on BBC One. Johnson-Thompson is the defending Commonwealth Champion in the event and the 2019 World Champion.
The heptathlon is a seven-event contest in the athletics programme that takes place across two days - and finishes five days before the end of the Games. The competitors earn points for their performance in each event, and the athlete who scores the most points at the end of the two days is crowned the overall winner. The seven events are: 100m hurdles, 200m, 800m, high jump, long jump, shot put and javelin throw.
Speaking ahead of the Commonwealth Games to the 22 Voices podcast, Johnson-Thompson said she is 'super excited' for Birmingham 2022, adding that the city is a special place for her.
She said, "It’s got a lot of history for me and it’s just perfect that the Commonwealth Games will be there next year. I’m super excited to have crowds back in athletics, excited for normality and a home games and to have fans. It’s just going to be great, I can’t wait."
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson: Your FAQs answered
How old is Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is 29 years old. She was born on 9 January 1993 to Tracey Johnson and Ricardo Thompson in Woolton, Liverpool.
She lived in Liverpool until she was 23 years old, and made friends with Killing Eve star Jodie Comer while they were at St Julie's Catholic High School together. She later went on to study Sports Science at Liverpool John Moores University, before dropping out to compete in the Rio Olympics in 2016.
That same year, she moved to Montpellier, France, where she still lives, to focus on her athletics.
A post shared by Jodie Comer (@jodiemcomer)
A photo posted by on
How tall is Katarina Johnson-Thompson
Katarina Johnson-Thompson is 1.83m tall, or 6ft, making her seven inches taller than her predecessor, Jessica Ennis-Hill, who also competed in the heptathlon for England and won gold at the 2012 Olympics, before retiring in 2016.
In 2019, Ennis-Hill told the Mirror, "Kat has grown so much as an athlete and a person and I definitely think she’s reaching her peak. The medals she has won have given her a massive amount of confidence."
Katarina Johnson-Thompson: Career stats
- She currently holds the British record for the heptathlon
- Her first major honour on the world stage was in 2009, when she won gold at the World Youth Championships
- Her first Olympics was London 2012, after which she was nominated for the 'European Rising Star award'
- In 2018, she won the world indoor pentathlon title and the Commonwealth Games heptathlon title, as well as silver at the European Championships
- She became world champion heptathlete in Doha in 2019
A post shared by KJT (@johnsonthompson)
A photo posted by on
Is Katarina Johnson-Thompson single?
Katarina Johnson Thompson has been in a relationship with Andrew Pozzi since 2018. Pozzi is also a Team GB athlete and competes in the hurdles.
In 2018, Pozzi won gold at the World Indoor Championships when he beat the USA's Jarret Eaton by one-hundredth of a second, with a time of 7.46sec.
Video of the Week
Ellie is GoodtoKnow’s Family News Editor and covers all the latest trends in the parenting world - from relationship advice and baby names to wellbeing and self-care ideas for busy mums. Ellie is also an NCTJ-qualified journalist and has a distinction in MA Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and a first-class degree in Journalism from Cardiff University. Previously, Ellie has worked with BBC Good Food, The Big Issue, and the Nottingham Post, as well as freelancing as an arts and entertainment writer alongside her studies. When she’s not got her nose in a book, you’ll probably find Ellie jogging around her local park, indulging in an insta-worthy restaurant, or watching Netflix’s newest true crime documentary.
-
Cosatto Wow 3 hands-on review: practical, beautiful and comfortable - wow!
A versatile travel system with a newborn carrycot, upright pushchair seat and a compatible car seat - everything you need in one stylish package
By Heidi Scrimgeour Published
-
14 of the best pushchairs to buy in 2024: buggies and strollers for growing toddlers reviewed
We asked a panel of parents to put the latest pushchairs to the test - here's what they thought
By Heidi Scrimgeour Published
-
Balamory is back after two decades - why we can’t wait for the reboot of the iconic BBC series
What's the story in Balamory? Now you can find out, as the BBC announces the return of the beloved children's series nearly 20 years after the final episode aired.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? With more great representation in the show, this expert shares how to start the conversation around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? It's a question many have asked, and you might need to have conversations around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Eric a true story? Benedict Cumberbatch lives every parent’s worst nightmare in new Netflix show
Is Eric a true story? Every parent’s worst nightmare plays out in Netflix's latest show, against a backdrop of 80s New York grappling with AIDS and racism.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Normal People season 2 rumours are circulating, and we have our own Marianne and Connell 'first love' stories to share
Normal People season 2 rumours are flying around, and we have our own Marianne and Connell moments to share - because everyone remembers their first heartbreak.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Channel 4 drama The Gathering explores 'toxic teenagers and their even more toxic parents' in an online world dominated by social media
New Channel 4 drama explores the challenges of impossible standards set by social media, and how parents themselves become toxic in their need to protect their kids.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Brandy pregnant? Bluey fans think the Heelers could be about to welcome a new cousin following the season 3 finale
Eagle-eyed Bluey viewers are wondering if Aunt Brandy is pregnant, following a touching moment in the season three finale.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Is Bluey ending? What we know about the rumours around the kids' cartoon, as the Heelers put their house up for sale
Bluey's producer has shared an update on the show's future
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
CoComelon has been accused of being 'overstimulating' - the experts explain why it's ok to let your kid watch the popular cartoon
CoComelon is adored by kids around the world, but some experts have shared reasons they don't think children should be watching - we look at both sides of the argument.
By Lucy Wigley Published