Ireland's European Champion Ciara Mageean Dies of Cancer Aged 34
Irish middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean has died aged 34. The European gold medallist competed at two Olympic Games, and her family announced her death.
A statement posted on the athlete's Instagram account on Sunday said that at 6:30am that morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones.
Her death comes just weeks after she married her long-term boyfriend in Belfast.
She had been receiving treatment for bowel cancer. She revealed her diagnosis in July 2025 and subsequently disclosed that the disease was at an advanced stage.
Originally from Portaferry in County Down, Northern Ireland, Mageean established herself as one of the island of Ireland's leading middle-distance runners, setting several records in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
She represented the Republic at the 2016 Rio Olympics and at the Tokyo Games held in 2021. Her greatest sporting achievement came in 2024, when she claimed the 1,500 metres title at the European Athletics Championships in Rome.
However, an Achilles tendon injury prevented her from competing at the Paris Olympics that same year.
Mageean remained remarkably positive throughout her illness. After her diagnosis she said she was 'continuing to find the joy in everyday' as she thanked people for their support. Speaking to the BBC in June, she said she was 'grateful' for having a career 'that many others didn't get to have'.
Mageean also won European bronze in 2016 and silver in 2022 in the 1,500m, and finished second in the event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she represented Northern Ireland.
Tributes poured in after her death. The Olympic Federation of Ireland said in a statement, 'The country has lost a hero.' Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill said that beyond the medals, records and sporting accolades, Ciara will be remembered for her warmth, courage and tremendous strength of character. The Republic of Ireland's prime minister, Taoiseach Micheal Martin, said he was 'deeply saddened' by her 'untimely passing'.
