Johnson-Thompson described her second world heptathlon triumph in Budapest final 12 months as “the perfect day of my life” after she defended a slender lead over favorite Anna Corridor to finish a outstanding turnaround in her profession.
With expectations raised, it was time for redemption on the game’s largest stage.
London 2012 represented a studying expertise for the teenage Johnson-Thompson, who completed thirteenth as Ennis-Hill received gold on an unforgettable Tremendous Saturday for Crew GB, nevertheless it was sixth place in Rio that she felt marked a missed alternative.
It even triggered her to query whether or not she wished to proceed – lengthy earlier than the unlucky occasions of Tokyo.
“Rio 2016 was psychological exhaustion. Tokyo 2020 was bodily exhaustion,” Johnson-Thompson mentioned.
“After each of these Olympics, I wished to surrender for various causes, however I am glad I did not.
“I am so proud of the final three years and the staff round me. I would not be on the beginning line with out them.”
Talking on BBC TV, Ennis-Hill mentioned of Johnson-Thompson: “I keep in mind in Rio after we competed, she was nearly able to cease there. She had simply had sufficient.
“However she saved going for 2 extra Olympics. It is so onerous to place into phrases how difficult that’s and the way effectively she has achieved.”
In Paris, these 12 years of world championship expertise have been channelled into placing the file straight.
Johnson-Thompson produced a private finest within the shot put, by far one among her weakest disciplines, to stay in gold medal competition, earlier than operating the 800m of her life as she amassed the second-best rating of her profession in pursuit of the last word prize.
Carrying a beaming smile, a silver tiara on her head and with a Union Jack draped over her shoulders, the achievement of going so near gold in any respect was not misplaced on her for a second as Thiam’s victory was confirmed.
Even this 12 months there had been concern surrounding preparations after Johnson-Thompson withdrew from the European Championships in June with a minor leg difficulty, having contested solely three occasions however already fallen behind Thiam.
That was a needed sacrifice to make as she went after the one prize she desperately desired.
“I am very grateful and emotional. I am feeling overwhelmed. I’ve obtained no regrets,” Johnson-Thompson mentioned on Friday night.
“I am simply attempting to take all of it in and stay within the second. It is the last word aid.
“I used to be operating for gold, however to be sincere I had such combined feelings that I used to be type of grieving gold but additionally preventing for gold. Then I used to be celebrating silver. So many combined feelings.
“Simply to be on the rostrum is such an honour. Olympic cycles could be brutal, and I do know that greater than anybody.”
