Irish European champion runner Ciara Mageean dies aged 34

Irish runner Ciara Mageean, who won a European title and represented Ireland at two Olympic Games, died at 6:30am on Sunday at the age of 34. BBC News, thejournal.ie, and the Irish Times all reported that her family announced her death on social media, stating that she died surrounded by her loved ones after a battle with cancer. [1][2][3]

Mageean was diagnosed with cancer last year, according to BBC News and thejournal.ie. Thejournal.ie specified that she had been diagnosed with bowel cancer. BBC News reported that she disclosed her diagnosis in July of last year, while the Irish Times noted that she had spoken publicly about her illness and stated her intention to pursue all available medical treatment. [1][2][3]

The Portaferry athlete won gold in the 1,500 metres at the 2024 European Athletics Championships. BBC News, thejournal.ie, and the Irish Times reported on her victory, with the Irish Times noting the event took place in Rome. She represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, but BBC News noted she was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Games due to an Achilles injury. [1][2][3][12]

Mageean was a native of Portaferry in County Down. When she won her European gold medal, she became the first individual Irish European champion since Sonia O'Sullivan. In international competition, she also previously secured silver at the 2022 European Athletics Championships. [1][12][13]