Utility players in football and bits-and-pieces cricketers are regarded as useful but not vital to the team. They are not good enough to be first choice but, sometimes, can make up the numbers satisfactorily. None will ever be considered at the top of their field.

Ennis is the track and field equivalent. In none of the seven events has she a hope in hell of winning a medal. However, when competing against other utility athletes she can score a sufficient number of combined points to win. If she does win a gold medal it will be wholly unremarkable, a celebration of mediocrity.