‘We're nowhere near what she's capable of doing' — Kate O'Connor's father Michael on his European gold medal-winning daughter

Michael O'Connor stood behind the medal presentation stage at the Alexander Stadium this evening and was taken aback by what he had just witnessed. His daughter, Kate, had just been feted by crowds of green-clad Irish supporters as she received her European gold medal and had Amhrán na bhFiann played in her honour. This is a dad and daughter who are sharing the same dream. And as Michael waited outside for Kate to finish doing media interviews in the mixed zone, he slimmed down his thoughts. 'That's my little baby in there, you know,' said Michael, who is also her coach. 'She's something else. At certain times, I'm in awe of her.' He's not the only one. It was when the loud and proud Irish fans started to sing Ole, Ole, Ole that Kate herself began to feel the tears come to her eyes. The heptathlon medal ceremony was originally due to take place last night but was postponed due to a security situation. Kate O'Connor is backed by a huge Irish support for her gold medal presentation at the European Athletics Championships. © Sam Barnes/Sportsfile Kate thought the postponement might reduce the number of Irish spectators who would be there to share in the moment. She was wrong. 'I'm still sweating from it now. It was a little bit overwhelming, but at the same time, absolutely incredible. I enjoyed every single second. Yeah, I did get really emotional because whenever you're in a stadium, you can understand that there's loads of people there watching. 'But whenever you're standing on a podium and there's only three people, and you fully realise that people actually want to see me stand on top of the podium, I don't know. It just made something in me feel really proud. It was an unforgettable experience. 'I think that athletics in Ireland has been on the rise for the last couple of years. And now that we're winning so many medals, I think so many people are getting behind the sport, which is absolutely incredible, because I think it's the best sport that there is.' I'm just wondering how is she so cool and calm and able to just compose herself and then execute? That is a superpower when it comes to real competition like this and managing nerves. Georgie Kelly Footballer and partner of Kate O'Connor In the crowd was Georgie Kelly who has been in a relationship with Kate for over five years. He is a professional footballer who plays for National League club Carlisle United. He wasn't in Birmingham to watch her compete because they had a game against Yeovil yesterday so he watched her final event, the 800m, on the TV screens in the team bus with all his team-mates cheering her on. He made it to Birmingham last night. 'Her as a competitor, even just day-to-day stuff, she is ruthless. She hates losing, but also her ability to stay really cold and calm and under pressure. Like, for example, if it was me or if it was any normal person, and there's a bit of pressure, my hands would be sweating. 'Whereas Kate is just cool. Her heart rate's calm. She's so good at controlling her nervous system, and that's so important for what she's doing there. My heart-rate on her third jump in the high jump or the long jump, I'm so nervous. So I'm just wondering how is she so cool and calm and able to just compose herself and then execute? 'That is a superpower when it comes to real competition like this and managing nerves. She's incredible.' Kate with her coach and dad Michael after clearing 1.86m in the high jump during the women's heptathlon © Sam Barnes/Sportsfile Michael said he managed to avoid shedding a tear with all the well-wishers coming up to him during the medal ceremony including former Great Britain javelin thrower Steve Backley. Kate spoke on Saturday about the family's difficult year with the sudden loss of Michael's mother, Madeline, earlier this year. 'My mom is a big miss. Mom was a big supporter and a great woman,' said Michael. Read more Seven championships, seven medals: European champion Kate O'Connor is Ireland's one-woman medal factory Greatness is a trait that must run in the family. Thing is, Michael believes there's plenty more to come from his daughter. 'My job is to keep her safe and keep her healthy, wrap her in bubble wrap. If I can keep her healthy, I think we're going to have some time. We're going to see some performances. 'And yeah, we're nowhere near what she's capable of doing.'