Tributes paid as Olympian Ciara Mageean dies aged 34

Ciara Mageean, a European champion and two-time Olympian from Northern Ireland, passed away at the age of 34. Mageean announced in July of the previous year that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Her social media post confirmed that she had passed away early this morning, surrounded by her loved ones. Mageean was remembered as a beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend, and an inspiration to many. She is mourned by all who knew her.

Mageean competed for Ireland in both the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, but had to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Games due to an Achilles injury. Earlier in 2024, she secured her first major title by winning the 1500m gold at the European Championships in Rome. Mageean had also represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, earning 1500m silver at the 2022 Birmingham Games.

A promising athlete from a young age, Mageean played camogie for Portaferry GAC but chose to pursue a career in athletics to represent Ireland at the Olympics. Her junior career was impressive, with 1500m silver medals at the 2010 World Junior Championships and 2011 European Junior Championships. She reached the 2010 Commonwealth Games 1500m final as an 18-year-old.

However, her senior career was hampered by a serious ankle injury, which prevented her from making an Olympic debut at the 2012 London Games. Mageean recovered from surgery in 2013 and secured the Irish 1500m title on her return in July 2014. She represented Ireland at the European Championships in Amsterdam in 2016, finishing 3rd in the 1500m.

Mageean moved to Manchester to join Steve Vernon's Team New Balance in late 2017, following her departure from coach Jerry Kiernan. Despite some disappointing results post-move, she claimed a European Indoor bronze medal in March 2019 and set a new Irish 1,000m record of 2:31.06 during the 2020 Diamond League Monaco meet.