Johnson-Thompson vows she still has hunger to compete

Katarina Johnson-Thompson says she still has the hunger to compete for major honours after she managed to complete the heptathlon at the European Athletics Championships following a difficult season.

The two-time world champion wore a broad smile on her face as she crossed the finish line of the concluding 800m event to warm cheers from her home support in Birmingham.

Johnson-Thompson said at the end of the first day of competition on Friday that she was "just happy to be here" following an injury-hit year during which she has barely competed.

The 33-year-old Olympic silver medallist placed 21st out of the 21 athletes to complete the seven events on Saturday, as British team-mate Jade O'Dowda finished 13th and Ireland's Kate O'Connor claimed gold.

"I am thinking of the future. I have always said I want to be competitive. If I'm not competitive, I will start asking questions," Johnson-Thompson told BBC Sport.

"I've still got sand behind my nails, my body is still warm. I cannot think about the future too much. I want to be in the moment.

"Of course, I don't want to be here just to be a participant. The hunger is still there, and I love this event so much."

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      Johnson-Thompson achieved her sixth global podium with bronze at last year's World Championships - and her third in as many years as she returned to the pinnacle of the sport following a career-threatening Achilles rupture.

      But, prior to these championships, she had competed just once since - in the shot put at an event in Loughborough in May - and withdrew from last month's Commonwealth Games to ensure she could compete here.

      Having competed at Alexander Stadium as a junior, Johnson-Thompson was determined to make the start line and soak in the adoration of the home crowd.

      While she has never won a European title, there are further opportunities for global honours on the horizon, with a World Championships and Olympic Games in the next two years.

      "It is obviously far from my best. Not the competition I would have wanted, but in a way it is," Johnson-Thompson said.

      "It was important to me that I finished. I wanted to do it for [my team] as we worked so hard to be here.

      "After the initial shock of the hurdles and the 200m, I definitely came back with a different mindset today to soak it all in.

      "I have done so many championships now. Since 2012 I have only ever missed one.

      "It is important to me, I enjoy the experience now more than ever."