TONI MINICHIELLO has questioned Katarina Johnson- Thompson’s decision to split from coach Mike Holmes in the aftermath of her sixth-place finish in Rio, writes Euan Crumley.
The 23-year-old heptathlete went to Brazil as a contender to finish on the Olympic podium but, after coming home without a medal, opted to end her association with a coach who had guided her since 2008.
She is yet to announce her new coaching set-up and had been linked with Minichiello. However, the man who steered Jessica Ennis-Hill to Olympic gold in 2012 and silver this year insists he has not been approached and believes Johnson-Thompson listened to external voices in making her decision to split from Holmes.
“She may have made the ‘media popular’ decision, but I’m not sure it’s the right decision,” said Minichiello.
“You’re talking about somebody who was the best-sixth-placed Olympian we’ve ever had [she scored 6523 points]. You actually performed better than anyone has ever, ever performed in that position – so what was wrong with the situation?