Ciara Mageean, European 1500m champion for Ireland, dies aged 34

Ciara Mageean, the Ireland European 1500 metres champion who won gold in Rome in 2024, has died aged 34, her Instagram account said on Sunday. The post 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."

Mageean was a two-time Olympian who competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 and won multiple major championship medals. She took European 1500m silver in 2022 and bronze in 2016 and finished fourth at the World Championships in 2023. Competing for Northern Ireland, she also won silver at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

A statement from Athletics Ireland paid tribute to Mageean and set out the organisation’s condolences. "Athletics Ireland is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ciara Mageean. "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. "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."

Mageean announced last year that she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. She was from Portaferry, County Down, in Northern Ireland and was married last month.

Her death was announced on Sunday via her Instagram account.