Heptathlete O’Connor wins Northern Ireland’s first gold of Games
Kate O'Connor has won Northern Ireland's first gold medal of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, taking the heptathlon title at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. The victory marks her first senior outdoor gold and comes at her third Games, having finished eighth in 2018 and won silver in 2022, with the win made more likely by the late withdrawal of defending champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson of England.
O'Connor finished top of the standings with 6,569 points, becoming the first new heptathlon champion at the Games in eight years. She led from the first day, posting a 100m hurdles time of 13.54 seconds and a season's best 1.82m high jump, before recovering from a disappointing shot put to win her 200m heat in 24.14 seconds. On day two she extended her lead with a long jump of 1.82m and a season's best 52.85m javelin throw, before sealing gold with victory in the 800m in 2:10.45. England's Jade O'Dowda took silver and Australia's Tori West bronze; O'Connor is Northern Ireland's 12th medallist in Glasgow and its first athletics gold at the Games since 1986.
- Kate O'Connor wins Northern Ireland's first gold of the 2026 Commonwealth Games
- Heptathlon title secured with 6,569 points at Scotstoun Stadium
- First NI athletics gold at the Games since 1986
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The heptathlon is an athletics competition where athletes complete seven different events across two days, testing running speed, jumping ability and throwing strength. The Commonwealth Games is an international sporting event held every four years featuring athletes from Britain and other related nations. Kate O'Connor has won the heptathlon title at the 2026 Games, a significant achievement as it is Northern Ireland's first gold medal of these Games and its first athletics gold since 1986.
Kate O'Connor is an athlete from Northern Ireland who has competed at two previous Commonwealth Games. She finished eighth at the 2018 Games and won silver at the 2022 Games, making this her first gold medal in the heptathlon at this level of competition.
The defending heptathlon champion, Katarina Johnson-Thompson of England, did not compete at the 2026 Games. O'Connor's victory makes her the first new heptathlon champion at the Commonwealth Games in eight years.