Former European champion and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has died at the age of 34.
Mageean, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in May 2025.
She represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, but was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Games because of an Achilles injury.
Earlier in 2024, Mageean had clinched the first major title of her career when she took 1500m gold at the European Championships in Rome.
Prior to that she had also represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, winning 1500m silver at Birmingham 2022.
A statement posted on her social media on Sunday said: “At 6.30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones.
“A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”
In a statement on social media, Athletics Ireland said: “We are heartbroken. An inspiration to so many, Ciara will be remembered for her courage, kindness and incredible spirit.
“Our deepest sympathies are with her family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Ciara.”
Earlier this month, Mageean wed her long-term partner Thomas Moran in a small civil ceremony in Belfast.
A talented athlete from a young age, Mageean played camogie for Portaferry GAC, but her dream of representing Ireland at the Olympics led her to pursue a career in athletics.
Her running prowess was clear during an impressive junior career that yielded 1500m silvers at the 2010 World Junior Championships and 2011 European Junior Championships. She also reached the 2010 Commonwealth Games 1500m final as an 18-year-old.
However, Mageean’s early progress in the senior ranks was hampered by a serious ankle injury, which ended her hopes of making her Olympic debut at London 2012.
Having had surgery in 2013, Mageean won the Irish 1500m title on her return in July 2014.
In 2016, she claimed 1500m bronze at the European Championships in Amsterdam, but her Olympic debut ended in disappointment as she exited the 1500m competition at the semi-final stage.
In late 2017, Mageean left her Dublin base to join Steve Vernon’s Team New Balance in Manchester after parting ways with coach Jerry Kiernan.
And while she endured some disappointing results following the move, Mageean claimed a European Indoor bronze medal in March 2019 before clocking two minutes 31.06 seconds to take 3.6 seconds off Sonia O’Sullivan’s 27-year-old Irish 1,000m record at the 2020 Diamond League Monaco meet.
