In March 1987, Sanderson announced that she would be focusing on the heptathlon rather than the javelin throw. Shortly before that, she had moved to London, and was looking for a career change to television or promotional work. She later threatened to boycott athletics events, for which she was being paid £1,000 each by British Athletics whilst Whitbread was being paid £10,000 per event, and agreed a new deal at the start of June. At the Dairy Crest Games in August, Whitbread, who had been undefeated during the season, injured her shoulder whilst Sanderson won the event and then announced that she would be training with Mick Hill in Italy for the world championships. Whitbread won the World Championship gold, with Sanderson finishing fourth. By this time, former pop star Adam Faith was engaged as Sanderson's agent.