"Reversal is in our DNA": the Liverpool spirit and the sporting dream of an Olympic champion.
One afternoon in April 1964, when journalist and broadcaster John Morgan stood in front of the KOP stands at Anfield Stadium, he couldn't believe what he was going through.
Morgan was filming for the BBC's documentary show Panorama. The episode aired two days after Liverpool's 5-0 thrashing of Arsenal, a famous victory that lifted Bill Shankly's home side to the league title.
Video footage showed a lively atmosphere as thousands of fans chanted the Beatles' "She Loves You." Sixty years on, this time** is culturally significant in many ways and captures a special moment.
For two-time heptathlon world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, this passage also has a significant personal significance, as it captures her late grandfather, James Johnson. As the camera zooms in to the crowd, Johnson — Jimmy, as they call him, appears briefly in the shot, shaking his body.
As we talked, Johnson-Thompson excitedly tried to find a screenshot on his phone to show us.
The three-time Olympic champion adores her grandfather, who she credits with making her an avid Liverpool fan.
Competing has not been an easy task for the 31-year-old athlete since the death of her grandfather a few years ago, and she is currently preparing for her fourth Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
She told The Athletic: "I was invited into the pitch [to show the medals] and I met [the club's iconic former player and manager] Kenny Dalglish and all these former players that my grandfather adored. It's always bittersweet, but it's also a great honor. ”
Johnson-Thompson has a lot of faith in her home team, something she has often unearthed in her impressive athletic career, which has also been at times at times at a low point due to injuries.
Johnson-Thompson said: "Liverpool inspired me to never give up," said Johnson-Thompson, who was just 19 years old when she made her Olympic debut at London 2012. "Istanbul 2005 – Reversal is in our DNA. (Milan Fan Protection Association).
Sports are like that, you never know. You should never give up – because anything is possible," she added.
Johnson-Thompson has experienced some impossible turnarounds himself.
Last August, in Budapest, Hungary, she retained her World Championship title by limiting the lead of American Anna Hall to within three seconds in the 800-meter race, the final of the heptathlon. Johnson Thompson is under tremendous pressure. But she gritted her teeth and clenched Hall to secure a 20-point lead over her rival when she crossed the line – her second consecutive World Championship title.
She also spoke about another famous Liverpool comeback, the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, which was also the sixth time the club has won the European title.
This team has shown me time and time again how to be a better athlete. I always say, Liverpool did well and I did well. So I'm happy that they're doing really well now and they're number one in the Premier League. ”
After winning the World Championship in Hungary last year, Johnson Thompson returned home to Liverpool almost immediately. The town hall hangs a banner to greet her, just like it did four years ago. While her fellow Liverpool compatriots are immensely proud of her achievements, they also often feign composure.
No one really wants a group photo or an autograph, just like in other cities," she said with a laugh. "They'll just say, 'Oh, well done – I saw you on TV,' and that's it. ”
Johnson Thompson currently works in Loughborough in the middle of England but returns to Liverpool every Friday for a two-hour drive to sing Beyoncé's songs back to her forever home.
As an ambassador for the club's charity, the LFC Club, she is committed not only to creating her own athletics legend, but also to ensuring that young athletes from different communities in Liverpool's north-west region have the opportunity to do the same. KJT Academy has partnered with the LFC to support athletes between the ages of 16 and 21.
Athletics has created my whole life. It's been my entire career. It's all I know," Johnson-Thompson said, "and I've been helped a lot over those years and I'm really happy to be able to give back to people who have the potential to create a similar life for themselves."
I got a lot of help at the time, and if it wasn't for the help at that age, I don't think I would have been successful in 2012 and wouldn't be where I am today.
Many people drop out of school at this age. I feel that due to everything from the cost of living crisis, the pandemic, etc., it is too difficult to turn a hobby into a career. Not many people have the time or ability to do it, and not many people have access to advice and help. I want to help people break through – from my hometown and people from similar backgrounds to me. ”
Johnson-Thompson who came to Anfield).
When Johnson Thompson made his Olympic debut 12 years ago, the family of Liverpool-born boxer Natasha Jonas (who also became an Olympian in London) helped him a lot, especially Jonas's father, Paul: "He was one of the few people who helped me. I used Paul's gym, which was where I first started working out. He let me use it for free – I needed a gym for free at the time too!
We take care of our own people," she says proudly. "He was also one of the people who took care of me when I first debuted. So to him. It's a small world, Liverpool. ”
Johnson Thompson is a good friend of actor Jodie Comer. The two attended St. Julie's School in Woolton together and have always had a good relationship.
She's a great actor and friend," Johnson-Thompson said. "I've seen it all my life, and I'm glad the world is finally seeing our brilliance. She really makes me proud and inspires me to be a better athlete. ”
There seem to be a lot of people who inspire Johnson-Thompson.
Hopefully, she will also be aware of how many people she has inspired, regardless of the outcome of the Paris 2024 Olympics.