Ciara Mageean, the former European champion and two-time Olympian who competed for Ireland and who revealed last year that she was diagnosed with cancer, died on Sunday at age 34.
In a message posted on social media, Mageean’s family confirmed her death.
“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 won gold in the 1,500m at the 2024 European Championships in Rome, the first Irish individual champion since Sonia O’Sullivan in 1998, taking silver in 2022 in Munich and bronze in 2016 in Amsterdam. She also represented Ireland in the Olympics in Rio 2016 and 2020 in Tokyo. Mageean withdrew from the 2024 Paris Games because of an Achilles injury.
Last July 2025, Mageean announced that she was undergoing cancer treatment, later revealing that she was battling stage four bowel cancer, which was likely terminal. In October, she married her partner Thomas Moran in Belfast, just weeks before her death.
Mageean released her biography, “My Greatest Race” in June that was a reflection of her career in track and field but also a boldly honest replay of her cancer treatment. She describes how her time as an athlete took a drastic pivot after receiving the diagnosis and the uncertainty she immediately faced while her family rallied in a show of support.
“The hardest thing is how much of the burden that my family carry and the grief that they carry, and that they feel that they can’t help me,” Mageean said in an interview with the BBC in June. “It’s just me out there. I’m glad that it’s me that can take on all of this pain and the sickness. They just would really love to help, and they can’t.”
Tributes to Mageean poured out from the running community early Sunday, with Athletics Ireland releasing a statement to honor one of its own athletes who triumphed in the sport and proudly represented her nation.
“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.”
