Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jodie Comer have been close friends for years, having first met at school, and the two have been quick to show their support for each other
Jodie Comer demonstrated how close her friendship with Katarina Johnson-Thompson is following the British star’s triumphant Olympic homecoming. Johnson-Thompson, who is poised to defend her heptathlon crown at this week’s World Athletics Championships, secured silver at the 2024 Paris Games in the discipline.
Missing out on gold by merely 36 points to Belgium’s Nafissatou Thiam, the 32-year-old finally claimed her maiden Olympic medal. Her exceptional displays in the competition saw her achieve personal bests in both the shot put and 800m events.
The long-awaited medal prompted a flood of congratulatory messages on social media, including a heartfelt tribute from her childhood mate.
The actress, who featured in 28 Years Later this past summer, posted on Instagram before the Olympics commenced last year, writing: “When you give everything to a thing. We love you.”
Following Johnson-Thompson’s return to Liverpool after the Games concluded, she marked her achievement by posting: “Leaving Paris with a medal and the best memories.”
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Comer, 32, shared the post to her Instagram stories, accompanied by the tearful smiling emoji. The pair have maintained their friendship for years, first bonding whilst pupils at St Julie’s Catholic High School.
Both have since carved out remarkably successful careers in their respective fields, with Comer achieving fame through her lead role in the television series Killing Eve.
The two-time world champion previously spoke to The Athletic about the actress and her thriving career, as she said: “She’s an incredible actor and friend. To see her pushing the boundaries and doing things she’s passionate about in such a phenomenal way and for the whole world to see.
“I’ve been a witness to it my whole life and I’m just so happy the world is finally seeing the brilliance we have. She really does make me proud and inspires me to be a better athlete.”
The pals have developed a tradition of publicly championing each other, with Comer rushing to heap praise on Johnson-Thompson after she secured her maiden world champion title at the 2019 Doha championships.
The actress penned: “World champion right there! ! ! ! ! ! ! We couldn’t be prouder of you @johnsonthompson. Your hard work and dedication shows no limits. Soak it all up. You’re the best… it’s actually official. (always has been)!”
Like most mates, Comer and Johnson-Thompson share a group chat, with the former celebrating the heptathlete’s humble nature despite reaching extraordinary sporting heights.
Comer revealed: “Katty is such a modest, humble person. She’ll go away and compete in something amazing and the only way you’ll hear about it is on the news. We’ve got a girls’ group chat. It’s called ‘Hoes in Different Area Codes’ because we are never in the same place at the same time… So that’s always very lively!”
