Kate O’Connor won Team NI’s first gold medal of the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games after a strong second day in the heptathlon winning the long jump, javelin and the 800m.
O’Connor was 291 points clear of her nearest rival, England’s Jade O’Dowda, to claim Team NI’s first athletics medal since Phil Beattie 40 years and the first female gold medal since Dame Marry Peters in Christchurch way back in 1974.
Anna McCauley finished in a highly creditable eighth position.
“I’m delighted to get the gold medal, I’m so proud I was trying my best to keep up with the rest of the guys and everybody’s been doing really well,” said O’Connor.
“It’s kind of surreal whenever you hear stats like that and I think it’s the first female since Mary Peters. Crazy stats, but I think that when you’re the athlete and you’re in it, I’m always looking towards the future and it’s probably not until I stop and look back on what I’ve done that I’ll actually be able to appreciate it.”
O’Connor was proud to share the golden moment with her family, who were present at Scotstoun Stadium.
“My mum was crying up in the stands there, she was delighted for me as well as my dad and my boyfriend’s here too. I have so many family and friends here as well which is absolutely amazing,” said O’Connor.
O’Connor, a world silver medallist last year was favourite going into Glasgow and lived up to that billing with a strong performance across the two days despite the pressure that carries.
“I learned a lot last year. I think that a lot of the competitions I was going into I knew I was within medal potential and carrying that load on your shoulders is pretty tough,” said O’Connor.
“Coming here, the first time I was ever in the hopes for a gold medal spot, it was tough. After the shot putt I definitely had mixed emotions, realising that I was going to probably have to work even harder than I had originally expected and it wasn’t until after the job was done where I was able to set it in stone that I had won the race.
“I went back and spoke to my coaches afterwards and they were saying to me that I’ve got to just remember that it’s a championship and championships aren’t about huge scores, it’s about competing and competing to the best of your ability, no matter rain, sun, whatever.
“Day two, of course, there was a lot of rain and it was cold. I did the best that I could have with the elements that were thrown at me.”
O’Connor will quickly turn her attention to the European Championships, which are just a matter of days away.
“The score was very good considering what I was dealing with so I’m hoping the Europeans in Birmingham will be nice and sunny and warm and I’ll be able to go out and have a great score,” said O’Connor.
“When I did the pentathlon last year we travelled to China after the Europeans and that was a tough turnaround. It’ll be fine. I’m not worried about it at all. My body feels good. I feel healthy. I don’t think I’ve broke myself out there.”
