'It's surreal, crazy, amazing, exciting' — Kate O'Connor on clinching European heptathlon gold

The 25-year-old finished the job in the 800m on Saturday evening.

Kate O’Connor of Ireland celebrates with her gold medal after winning the women’s heptathlon during day six of the European Athletics Championships 2026 at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

It wasn’t just six medals Kate O’Connor accumulated from her six most recent championships. The learnings amassed across Apeldoorn, Nanjing, Bochum, Tokyo, Toruń, and Glasgow over the past 17 months meant she was a “better athlete” and “different person” arriving in Birmingham.

Every single leaning on that medal collecting journey was required and was put to work over the two days here.