Ciara Mageean (© Getty Images)
World Athletics is deeply saddened to hear that Ireland's 2024 European 1500m champion Ciara Mageean died on Sunday (1) at the age of 34.
An inspiration to many, on and off the track, the two-time Olympian announced in July 2025 that she had been diagnosed with cancer.
A statement posted on her social media 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.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”
Mageean made history in 2024 by winning European 1500m gold in Rome, becoming just the second athlete after Sonia O’Sullivan to secure an individual European title for Ireland. She added that honour to the European silver she claimed in 2022 and her European bronze from 2016, as well as the European indoor bronze medal she claimed in 2019.
She finished fourth at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and competed at two editions of the Olympic Games, in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021. She had been due to run at the 2024 Games in Paris before that was ruled out through injury.
Mageean also claimed medals at a global level, starting her career by becoming the world U18 800m silver medallist in 2009 before claiming a 1500m medal of the same colour at the World U20 Championships a year later – the same year she made her debut at the Commonwealth Games, making the 1500m final at the age of 18.
She went on to become a Commonwealth Games silver medallist in the 1500m in Birmingham in 2022.
Mageean last competed in 2024, finishing her career as the Irish record-holder in the 800m (1:58.51), 1000m (2:31.06), 1500m (3:55.87) and mile (4:14.58).
“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,” read a statement from Athletics Ireland.
“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.”
World Athletics