Great Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson celebrates after winning silver in the Women’s Heptathlon. Image provided by PA / Alamy.

University-based Katarina Johnson-Thompson secured an incredible silver in a thrilling heptathlon finale, narrowly missing out on gold to reigning champion Nafissatou Thiam.

After incredible performances in the previous rounds, the battle for the top of the podium came down to the 800m final under the lights at a full-capacity Stade de France.

Johnson-Thompson produced a gutsy performance to clock a personal best of 2:04:90. But despite a valiant effort, it wasn’t quite enough to overhaul the eight-second advantage required over Thiam as just 36 points separated the pair.

Nevertheless, Johnson-Thompson will leave Paris as a championship medallist following a 13th-place finish in London 2012, 6^th in Rio 2016, and a withdrawal due to injury last time out in Tokyo.

“I can’t even describe the words but I’m just so relieved and so happy that I have an Olympic medal to add to my collection. It was the only one I didn’t have and it’s been so hard getting back to this point,” an emotional Johnson-Thompson told the BBC.

In more medal success for Loughborough, former College learner Daryll Neita ran an incredible anchor leg as Great Britain Women took silver in the 4x100m Relay in 41.85 seconds.

Neita, who has had a fine games, clocked 10.33 seconds as the team upgraded their bronze from Tokyo. USA took victory in 41.78 seconds with Germany claiming bronze in 41.97 seconds.

“I just pushed for home. I was not going to let these ladies down,” Neita told BBC Sport.

“For us to be leaving here with a silver medal at the games – we’re going on the podium, we’re representing Great Britain and we’re just so proud.”

Great Britain’s Daryll Neita (left) finishes second in the Women’s 4 x 100m Relay Final. Image provided by PA / Alamy.

Elsewhere, fellow College connection, alumnus Richard Kilty, played a crucial part in the heats as Great Britain Men won bronze in the 4x100m Relay.

Canada won gold in 37.50 seconds, with South Africa second in 37.57 seconds and Britain third with 37.61 seconds.

Loughborough’s total medal count in Paris now stands at 15 – four gold, four silver, and seven bronze.

For all the latest Loughborough news around major global sporting events, visit the University’s dedicated website here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/athletes-global-stage/

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Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 24/129