Irish middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean, a two-time Olympian and 2024 European 1,500m champion, has died at the age of 34 after battling stage four bowel cancer. Her death was announced through a statement on her social media accounts on Sunday.
Mageean had revealed her cancer diagnosis in July 2025. The statement confirmed that she passed away at 6:30 am, surrounded by her loved ones.
“At 6:30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones,” the statement read. “A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.”
One of Ireland’s leading middle-distance athletes, Mageean secured gold in the women’s 1,500m at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome. She also represented Ireland at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Her achievements included European Championship bronze in 2016, silver in 2022 and a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She had to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Olympics due to an Achilles injury.
