Ireland’s Kate O’Connor said she was “delighted” with her Olympic debut in the heptathlon and it has “lit a fire” in her to progress.

O’Connor finished her first Olympics in 14th place in Paris and was just outside her own Irish record.

The 23-year-old, who was a Commonwealth Games silver medallist for Northern Ireland in 2022, started slowly in the 100 metre hurdles but a strong run of events saw her move up the standings.

O’Connor admitted there are “always going to be highs and lows” and she was proud of her resilience.

“I think I’ve proved to everyone out there that I can keep coming back and keep coming back.

“I’ve had a really long year with a lot of injuries, and I’m ready for a break, but it has lit a fire in me to really work hard now for next year and come back for the World Championships.”

O’Connor added she was “sick of finishing in 13th and 14th” and the next step for her was to kick on from her debut at the Olympics.

“To be 14th in my first Olympics – I came in ranked 24th so I really can’t complain.”

“I want to break into that top 12 or top 10, and then keep progressing even higher than that.

“It’s lit a fire in my belly to work harder and push up those ranks.”