O'Connor wins European heptathlon gold in Birmingham

Kate O'Connor won the gold medal in the women's heptathlon at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. The 25-year-old Irish athlete finished the final 800m race in third place, clocking a time of 2:11.74. This performance secured her the overall gold medal. O'Connor expressed her relief after hearing the crowd's cheers, stating that she didn't want to let the gold slip through her fingers.

She cited strategic considerations, such as positioning herself safely and avoiding collisions, as key factors in her victory. O'Connor also reflected on the challenging year she had, mentioning the loss of her grandmother and crediting her father, who is also her coach, for his unwavering support. With a total points tally of 6751, she broke another Irish national record.

O'Connor's impressive performance included a personal best jump in the long jump (6.55m) and a remarkable javelin throw (50.16m), which helped her climb from a 42-point deficit to a 51-point lead before the final event.