Katarina Johnson-Thompson to star at 2025 Loughborough International Athletics
British track and field star Katarina Johnson-Thompson has confirmed she will compete at this year’s Loughborough International Athletics (LIA), taking place on Sunday 18 May 2025 at Loughborough University’s Paula Radcliffe Stadium.
The 32-year-old heptathlon champion and silver medallist from last summer’s games in Paris will line up in the hurdles and javelin events.
A standout figure in British sport, Johnson-Thompson holds the British heptathlon record and boasts a glittering career including gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (Birmingham) and 2023 World Championships (Budapest).
Now in its 67th year, LIA is considered the traditional opener to the UK outdoor track and field season. The meet features teams from England, Wales, Scotland, GB&NI Under-20s, the National Athletics League, and host team Loughborough.
Femi Akinsanya, Director of Athletics at Loughborough University, said: “Katarina Johnson-Thompson is one of the biggest names in world athletics and we’re thrilled she’s returning to LIA.
“The day always brings an incredible atmosphere as talented athletes compete in a first-class environment. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the sport, there's something for everyone to enjoy.”
LIA 2025 will be a family-friendly event, offering a host of activities including the chance to have a go at long jump, triple jump, shot put and test reaction times.
The full line up and results from the day can be found by visiting:
Food and refreshments will be available throughout the day
Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 25/74
About Loughborough University
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2025 QS World University Rankings – the ninth year running.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2025 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Loughborough was also named University of the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
British track and field star Katarina Johnson-Thompson has confirmed she will compete at this year’s Loughborough International Athletics (LIA), taking place on Sunday 18 May 2025 at Loughborough University’s Paula Radcliffe Stadium.
The 32-year-old heptathlon champion and silver medallist from last summer’s games in Paris will line up in the hurdles and javelin events.
A standout figure in British sport, Johnson-Thompson holds the British heptathlon record and boasts a glittering career including gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (Birmingham) and 2023 World Championships (Budapest).
Now in its 67th year, LIA is considered the traditional opener to the UK outdoor track and field season. The meet features teams from England, Wales, Scotland, GB&NI Under-20s, the National Athletics League, and host team Loughborough.
Femi Akinsanya, Director of Athletics at Loughborough University, said: “Katarina Johnson-Thompson is one of the biggest names in world athletics and we’re thrilled she’s returning to LIA.
“The day always brings an incredible atmosphere as talented athletes compete in a first-class environment. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the sport, there's something for everyone to enjoy.”
LIA 2025 will be a family-friendly event, offering a host of activities including the chance to have a go at long jump, triple jump, shot put and test reaction times.
The full line up and results from the day can be found by visiting:
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme and named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2025 QS World University Rankings – the ninth year running.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2025 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
Loughborough was also named University of the Year for Sport in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 - the fourth time it has been awarded the prestigious title.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
