Irish European athletics champion Ciara Mageean dies aged 34

Belgian athletics champion Ciara Mageean, renowned for her European gold and Olympic participation, has passed away at the age of 34, her family revealed on Sunday. In a statement shared on her Instagram, Mageean's death was described as occurring early this morning while surrounded by her loved ones. Mageean's passing follows her recent marriage to her longtime partner in Belfast, occurring weeks after her revelation that she had been diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in July 2025.

Born in Portaferry, County Down, Northern Ireland, Mageean solidified her status as Ireland's top middle-distance runner, setting several national records. She represented her country at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2021 Tokyo Games. Her most significant achievement came in 2024 when she won the 1,500 meters at the European Athletics Championships in Rome; however, an Achilles injury kept her from competing at the 2022 Paris Olympics.

Despite her health struggles, Mageean maintained an optimistic outlook, expressing gratitude for her career and the support she received. Tributes poured in for the athlete, who also claimed a European silver and bronze in the 1500m (in 2022 and 2016 respectively) and finished second in the same event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Olympic Federation of Ireland mourned the loss of a national hero, while Northern Ireland's First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Prime Minister Micheal Martin both expressed deep sorrow over Mageean's premature departure.