Katarina Johnson-Thompson declared her second heptathlon world title win in Budapest last summer as “the best day of my life”, after completing a remarkable turnaround in her career.
Following her 2019 triumph the Briton, 31, overcame a career-threatening Achilles rupture before suffering injury heartbreak at the Tokyo Olympics – and now seeks redemption in the form of a first Olympic medal in Paris.
Two-time reigning Olympic champion Nafi Thiam, 29, missed last year’s Worlds with injury but demonstrated a return to her best to take a dominant gold at the European Championships, where Johnson-Thompson withdrew with a minor injury.
World silver medallist Anna Hall, 23, has also overcome injuries and seeks to emulate mentor Jackie Joyner-Kersee by winning gold for Team USA.
Key dates: Heptathlon 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m – 8 August; heptathlon long jump, javelin, 800m – 9 August