Ciara Mageean, European 1500m gold medallist with Ireland, dies at 34

Mageean won 2024 European 1500m title in Rome

Athletics Ireland pays tribute to ‘inspirational figure’

Ireland’s European 1500 metres gold medallist Ciara Mageean has died at the age of 34. Two-time Olympian Mageean, who won the European title in Rome in 2024, announced last year she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

A statement on her Instagram account on Sunday read: “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.”

Mageean, from Portaferry, County Down, in Northern Ireland, was married last month.

Mageean, who competed at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, also won European 1500m silver in 2022 and bronze in 2016, while she finished fourth in the World Championships in 2023.

She won silver competing for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. A statement from Athletics Ireland read: “Athletics Ireland is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ciara Mageean.

“Ciara was a much-loved and inspirational figure who touched the lives of so many. Her courage, warmth and spirit will leave a lasting legacy.

“The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of everyone at Athletics Ireland are with Ciara’s family, friends and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. May she rest in peace.”