Katarina Johnson-Thompson to miss British Olympics trials in race to be fit for Olympics

Katarina Johnson-Thompson has been granted a medical exemption to miss the British Olympic trials this month as she continues her recovery from an Achilles injury.

The heptathlon world champion has been in a race to get fit for the Tokyo Olympics ever since she sustained the damage at the back of 2020, as first revealed by Sportsmail.

Ordinarily she would be obliged to appear at the British Championships in order to secure her spot on Team GB, but it is understood she has been given permission on medical grounds to swerve the trials in Manchester between June 25-27.

While it is troubling that Britain’s brightest track and field talent is not ready to compete less than two months before the Games, sources have indicated she will contest at least one event prior to Tokyo.

Johnson-Thompson has been virtually silent on the issue, which first came to light in February. 

After suffering the issue in training she was forced to wear a protective boot and initially targeted a return to training in March, though it wasn’t until mid-April that she resumed work at her training base in Montpellier.

Attendance at trials is mandatory for selection, though certain waivers can be applied. 

It is understood that hammer thrower Nick Miller also has a medical exemption for the forthcoming championships.

Johnson-Thompson will sail into the Olympic team on account of having achieved the qualifying standard during her stunning gold medal-performance at the Doha world championships in autumn 2019. 

The qualifying window opened on January 1, 2019, so her place in Tokyo is assured so long as her fitness is sufficient to compete.