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A Liverpool heptathlete who was crowned world champion in 2019 talked about her reports of racism in a predominantly white school.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson revealed that she was first called the N-word at the age of nine and encouraged her to play Scary Spice as Sporty Spice in a dance group.
Writing for Vogue, she said, “The first time I called the N-word, I was nine, I chose through a guy in my class, who already knew how to hurt me without even understanding why. “
She added, “I’m definitely more Mel C than Mel B, but when some of my classmates and I sing “Wannabe” in my sixth-grade assembly, the apparent cast for me is Scary Spice, not Sporty.
By described herself as “a faceless person,” Katarina said she felt guilty about deciding when to communicate things that were painful.
She wrote: “In geography, when a classmate from the country of Niger mispronounces it and laughs, do you mean to laugh?”
Liverpool FC’s fans also described having had an attack at the age of 14 and “internally rooted by all black players” because she feared “racial abuse” if they were wrong.
More recently, Katarina said she told them to “keep talking about sports” after publishing a list of books online for her fans to read about race and identity.
She wrote: “As an athlete, I am aware of making my reviews insipid and unattractive. But I can’t in this one. Black people’s lives matter. “
In 2019, Katarina was the first athlete in the city to win a gold medal at the World Championships.
The 26-year-old heptathlete won gold at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar, ahead of Olympic champion and protector Nafi Thiam after completing first in the 800 meters, seventh and final event.
Last year, she won gold in hepthlon at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, before winning the silver medal at the 2018 European Championships with 6759 points, which placed her in the 25 most sensitive in the world of all time.
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She is a faithful friend of another 22-year-old Liverpool star, Jodie Comer, and Killing Eve’s actress is quick to congratulate her on her success.
After posting Katarina’s article, Jodie shared it with a photo of her friend on Instagram and wrote, “Hello everyone, take the time to read this beautiful article written through one of my most productive friends, the only one (karaoke queen). “
Their friendship dates back to their studies at St Julie’s Catholic School for Girls.
At the time of Katarina’s triumph, a spokesman said: “Katarina has shown wonderful prospects from an early age.
“She has supported others and has been a true team player at school. During his time at St. Julie’s, he showed genuine strength of character through his determination, courage and endurance.
“These key features were instilled in Katarina from an early age. He overcate many demanding situations by improving his athletic level and never gave up.
“His legacy in St. Julie has made other young academics aspire to succeed in their own fields of activity. “
Katarina Johnson-Thompson continues to paint with the founding of Liverpool FC and her own KJT Academy for aspiring athletes.