Katarina Johnson-Thompson Parents: Meet Ricardo Thompson, Tracey Johnson

Katarina Mary Johnson-Thompson, the accomplished English athlete, was born on 9 January 1993, in the Woolton suburb of Liverpool.

Her parents are Tracey Johnson, an English mother, and Ricardo Thompson, a Bahamian father who sadly passed away in November 2017.

Tracey Johnson, Katarina’s mother, is a former dancer, while Ricardo Thompson worked as a production assistant for the Bahamian television station ZNS-TV.

After her parents’ separation, Katarina spent the first year of her life in Nassau with her father. Following this, she returned to England and lived with her mother in Halewood near Liverpool.

Katarina’s early interest in athletics was nurtured during her time at St Mark’s Catholic Primary School. Later, when she moved to Woolton, she attended St Julie’s Catholic High School.

During her school years, she formed a close friendship with the future actress Jodie Comer. After completing her secondary education, Katarina pursued sports science at Liverpool John Moores University.

Reflecting on her family background, Katarina acknowledges the influence of her mother, who, despite the divorce, retained her married name. Katarina, following her mother’s example, adopted the surname Thompson during her debut in international athletics at the World Youth Championships in 2009.

Throughout her journey in athletics, Katarina Johnson-Thompson has maintained a close bond with her mother, describing her as supportive and not pushy, except when it came to dance. Katarina’s early exposure to ballet, which she started as soon as she could walk, attests to her mother’s encouragement and influence.