Katarina Johnson-Thompson has revealed that Jessica Ennis-Hill's presence at championships acts a soothing influence.
The 20-year-old Liverpudlian competed at last year's Olympic Games alongside the
Gold medal-winning athlete and admits that working with Ennis-Hill gives her the confidence to perform to the best of her capabilities.
"It would be so daunting to see all these women from Russia and everywhere, but because I know Jess and she's the best, it's like, Jess is there and she's normal and she can still beat everyone," Johnson-Thompson told the Daily Mail.
"When I was younger you would see all these people in international kit and it was terrifying, but the Olympics wasn't like that for me. I wasn't scared to compete.
"I was nervous for Jess [during the Olympics] as she was talking about it being the biggest event of her life, but I was a spectator of how she handled things. Even in the rest room when we weren't competing I took everything in, what she was doing. It hit me even more when she crossed the line. I was in tears for her."
Johnson-Thompson will be competing in the Sainsbury's Anniversary Games at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
Paul Gorst
