Kate O'Connor Eyes Commonwealth Gold as Heptathlon Favourite After Johnson-Thompson Withdrawal
Kate O'Connor enters the women's heptathlon at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as the clear favourite for gold following the withdrawal of defending champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson through injury, with the 25-year-old from Dundalk representing Northern Ireland targeting her first Commonwealth gold medal having won silver at the 2022 Games in Birmingham and silver at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Background
Kate O'Connor has been one of the most exciting multi-event athletes in world athletics for the past four years. Born in Dundalk, Co Louth, she represents Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games and Ireland at World and European Championships — a dual eligibility arrangement that reflects the complex sporting identity of athletes from the border region. Her performances have been consistently impressive: a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, gold at the 2025 World University Games, bronze at the 2026 World Indoor Championships in the pentathlon, and silver at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where she set a new Irish record of 6,714 points.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow are a scaled-down affair, featuring just 10 sports following the withdrawal of the original hosts, Victoria, Australia. The compact programme has concentrated the competition into a shorter period, with the athletics events taking place at Scotstoun Stadium. The heptathlon is scheduled for July 28 and 29, with O'Connor competing alongside her Northern Ireland teammate Anna McCauley.
O'Connor's preparation for the Games has been focused and methodical. She has spoken publicly about her desire to win gold in Glasgow before turning her attention to the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, which take place approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games. The double target reflects her ambition and her confidence in her own ability to perform at the highest level across multiple competitions in a short space of time.
Key Developments
The competitive landscape for the heptathlon was transformed on July 23 when England's Katarina Johnson-Thompson, the defending champion and a two-time gold medallist, announced her withdrawal from the Games due to an undisclosed injury. Johnson-Thompson, who had been O'Connor's primary rival for gold, cited the need to manage her injury and prioritise the upcoming European Championships as the reasons for her decision. Several other high-profile England athletics squad members also withdrew, significantly altering the competitive field.
O'Connor's response to the news was measured. She acknowledged that Johnson-Thompson's absence changes the dynamics of the competition, but emphasised that her focus remains on her own performance rather than on the opposition. 'I want to go out there and compete to the best of my ability,' she said in an interview with Athletics NI. 'The gold medal is the target, but the way to get there is to focus on each event and execute my plan.'
Nick Griggs, the reigning European Under-23 cross-country champion, is also representing Northern Ireland in the athletics programme, competing in the 5,000 metres. Griggs, who has spoken about his desire to 'race the race rather than the clock' in Glasgow, is a medal contender in an event that will feature some of the strongest distance runners in the Commonwealth. His selection follows a successful performance at the Irish senior title in March 2026.
Why It Matters
Kate O'Connor's potential gold medal at the Commonwealth Games would be a landmark moment for athletics in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland more broadly. The heptathlon is one of the most demanding events in athletics — seven disciplines across two days, requiring a combination of speed, strength, endurance, and technical skill that few athletes possess in sufficient measure. O'Connor's ability to compete at the highest level in all seven disciplines, and to maintain her composure across the two-day competition, is a testament to the quality of her preparation and the depth of her talent. A gold medal in Glasgow would also strengthen her case for selection as one of the favourites for the European Championships in Birmingham, where she will be competing for Ireland rather than Northern Ireland.
Local Impact
O'Connor's participation in the Commonwealth Games has generated significant interest in athletics across Northern Ireland, with Athletics Northern Ireland reporting increased engagement from clubs and schools in the weeks leading up to the Games. The Northern Ireland team of 65 athletes is the largest the region has sent to a Commonwealth Games in recent years, reflecting the investment that Sport Northern Ireland and Athletics Northern Ireland have made in elite athlete development. The team's performances in Glasgow will be closely watched by the sporting public in Northern Ireland, with O'Connor's heptathlon and Griggs's 5,000 metres among the most anticipated events of the Games.
What's Next
The women's heptathlon at the 2026 Commonwealth Games takes place on July 28 and 29 at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow. O'Connor will compete in the 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, and 200m on the first day, before the long jump, javelin, and 800m on the second day. Nick Griggs competes in the 5,000 metres on July 30. Following the Commonwealth Games, O'Connor will travel to Birmingham for the European Athletics Championships, which begin in mid-August.
