Katarina Johnson-Thompson a Rio 2016 contender, says Goldie Sayers

Three-time Olympic javelin finalist Goldie Sayers hopes she can help Katarina Johnson-Thompson to heptathlon gold at Rio 2016.

Johnson-Thompson underlined her reputation as one of the world’s most talented multi-discipline athletes by breaking the British high jump and indoor long jump records during successive weeks in February.

And 11-time British champion Sayers believes Johnson-Thompson can claim Olympic glory next year but admits current champion Jessica Ennis-Hill remains in the frame to retain her title.

“I’ve been helping Katarina over the winter with her javelin,” Sayers told the SportsWomen show on Sky Sports News HQ.

“At the moment she’s scoring around 6600 or 6700 points. I just think if she can pick up a few hundred points – especially in the throws - she is going to be the best in the world and hopefully Olympic champion next year.

She’s been competing with Allyson Felix who is probably one of the best athletes ever. She just needs to believe she belongs with those girls and hopefully she does now and we’ll something special.

“But I wouldn’t rule out Jess Ennis-Hill. I think Katarina has the potential to be Olympic champion but I would never ever rule out Jess. With what she did at Gotzis last week, she is going to be in contention for sure.”

An excellent month for our female athletes saw Ennis-Hill qualify for Rio 2016, while teenager Dina Asher-Smith ran the fastest 100m by a British athlete before setting a new personal best in the 200m.

“She’s done some incredible things just recently at 19 years old. We have to put that in perspective,” Sayers said of the world junior 100m champion.

“For her it’s just about remaining injury-free for as long as she can. She’s been competing with Allyson Felix who is probably one of the best athletes ever.

“She just needs to believe she belongs with those girls and hopefully she does now and we’ll something special.”