O'Connor and Adeleke Prepared for 2028 Olympic Games

Irish athletes visited Los Angeles to familiarize themselves with conditions ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Track & Field

O'Connor and Adeleke Prepared for 2028 Olympic Games

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Kate O'Connor and Rhasidat Adeleke traveled to Los Angeles in October 2026 to assess the climate and facilities for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games. The athletes toured the Los Angeles Coliseum and potential village sites to prepare for the event occurring in July 2028.

Why it matters

The visit serves as a strategic scouting mission to acclimate the athletes to the expected heat of the Southern California summer. By experiencing the host environment early, O'Connor and Adeleke aim to optimize their conditioning for the 2028 competition cycle.

Kate O'Connor has secured seven major senior medals and holds a personal best of 6,751 points. This performance compares to Anna Hall-Slayton, who currently holds a heptathlon personal best of 7,032 points.

The players

Kate O'Connor

She is an accomplished heptathlete who finished 14th at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Rhasidat Adeleke

She is a track athlete who has raced in 13 states across the United States.

Anna Hall-Slayton

She is a professional heptathlete who currently holds a personal best of 7,032 points.

Allianz Ireland

This insurance company serves as the corporate sponsor and organization for the two brand ambassadors.

The details

As ambassadors for Allianz Ireland, the pair evaluated venue logistics and the environmental challenges they will face in Los Angeles. Adeleke is simultaneously refining her focus on the 400m distance while keeping the 200m as a competitive option for future events.

Kate O'Connor competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Kate O'Connor competed in the 2026 European Championships.
O'Connor and Adeleke visited Los Angeles in October 2026.
The Los Angeles Olympic Games are scheduled for July 2028.

Season Trajectory

The athletes' visit to Los Angeles follows a pattern set by their participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, shifting focus to the next host city. This proactive site assessment establishes their early competitive positioning for the 2028 Olympic cycle.

O'Connor's pursuit of a higher personal best remains critical as she aims to bridge the current gap behind top-tier competitors like Anna Hall-Slayton. Adeleke's commitment to the 400m indicates a focused pivot in her race rotation for upcoming seasons.

The takeaway

Early site visits provide athletes with crucial data on climate and logistics that can influence training schedules for years. Consistent off-season conditioning is essential for maintaining the performance levels required to qualify for future Olympic stages.