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 (may her soul rest in peace).”
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.”
In October, Mageean wed her long-term partner Thomas Moran in a small civil ceremony in Belfast.
After a string of near-misses at championship level, Mageean secured the biggest win of her career at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.
In a gripping final, Mageean found herself boxed in behind Great Britain duo Georgia Bell and Jemma Reekie, but managed to dart through a gap and power down the straight to victory in 4:04.66.
An ecstatic Mageean, who won admirers for her honest and emotional post-race interviews down the years, said “words can’t even come close” to describing how she felt after sealing the first major title of her career.
After Mageean’s jubilation in Rome, injury again interrupted her Olympic bid as an Achilles injury forced her to withdraw on the eve of her heat in Paris.
Earlier this year, Mageean said she was “continuing to find the joy in everyday” as she thanked people for their support following her diagnosis.
Speaking to the BBC in June, she said she was “grateful” for having a career “that many others didn’t get to have.”
