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A determined gold-medal favorite heptathlete got injured mid-race but insisted on finishing, limping home over 70 seconds after her rivals

Sam Cooper   

A determined gold-medal favorite heptathlete got injured mid-race but insisted on finishing, limping home over 70 seconds after her rivals
Sports1 min read
  • Team GB's Katarina Johnson-Thompson suffered a calf injury during the 200 meters, but insisted on finishing.
  • Medical staff tried to help her with a wheelchair, but she ignored them and hobbled to the finish line.
  • Johnson-Thompson's Olympics now look likely to be over after the injury.

British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson showed incredible resilience on Wednesday, insisting on finishing a race despite suffering an injury that will likely end her Tokyo Olympics.

The 28-year-old was competing in the 200 meters - one of her best events - as part of the seven-discipline heptathlon and appeared to be running well until she rounded the bend and pulled up.

The 2019 world champion began hopping on her left leg until she could no longer walk. She then collapsed to the floor.

Medical staff came to help with a wheelchair, but the Brit ignored their offer and after sitting on the track for a few moments, insisted on finishing.

In visible pain, she hobbled the remaining length of track to the finish the race, which was won by Belgium's Noor Vidts.

Johnson-Thompson spent much of last year struggling with an Achilles problem, but Wednesday's injury is not believed to be related. British Athletics said it was a new injury in her calf, per a statement published by Sky Sports.

The 200 meters was the fourth event of the heptathlon, and Johnson-Thompson was in medal contention having performed well in the 100 meter hurdles, high jump and shot put.

However, even if Johnson-Thompson was able to recover in time for the long jump on Thursday, she is no longer near the medal places after her injury caused her to receive zero points in the 200 meter race.

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