I don't need the gold medal to make me happy

COOL KAT TAKES THE PRESSURE OFF HERSELF

- Alan Smith

KATARINA Johnson-Thompson begins her fourth Olympic campaign this morning braced for another ride on the heptathlon roller-coaster.

The world champion is hopeful that this time she can claim the one major medal to have eluded her.

As a 19-year-old at London 2012, Johnson-Thompson placed 13th while Jessica Ennis-Hill stormed to glory. At Rio four years later, poor showings in the javelin and shot put meant she finished sixth.

In Tokyo she was carted off with a torn calf, having faced a race to compete because of a ruptured Achilles. But Johnson-Thompson insists she will not be defined by the most coveted title of all.

The 31-year-old said: "I don't feel like I need to win that medal in order to be happy."

Still, she is quietly confident ahead of an expected battle with reigning champion Nafi Thiam and American Anna Hall.