Kate O’Connor had already had an extraordinary, breakthrough season. We hoped for a performance at the World Athletics Championships which would point the way to future success. But O’Connor grabbed the moment and comes home with a silver medal.
To channel her extraordinary talent into such a performance on the two days when it mattered was a remarkable achievement. As the public gathered around their TVs to watch the final event, the 800 metres, the news broke that O’Connor had been operating with a knee injured in the third last event, the long jump. To fight through this and set personal best performances in the javelin and the 800 metres is the mark of a ferocious competitor,
Reaching the podium at the highest level at such an early stage of her career bodes well for the future. Ireland had not won a medal at these championships for 12 years and O’Connor’s silver is one of only seven medals won by Irish athletes.
It came in a multi-event discipline where Ireland has little tradition. Other countries have established coaching structures and excellent facilities. O’Connor is coached by her father Michael and their ability to reach the highest level from an Irish base is remarkable.
RM Block
The championships had other positive signs for Irish athletics. In particular, the storming run of Cian McPhillips in the 800 metres final left him just out of the medals, but was of the highest quality. He now moves into a small group of world class performers in the event.
A number of Irish athletes also reached world finals – no small achievement – and will hope for better at next year’s European Championships. The absence of Rhasidat Adeleke meant Ireland’s relay squad was missing its star, but here Ireland has another world class talent.
Given the funding and facilities. Irish athletes can build on the foundations built over recent years. For now, however, it is important to stop and celebrate Kate O’Connor’s extraordinary achievement and to consider how to build on her undoubted role as a powerful role model.
