Ciara Mageean, European 1500m gold medallist with Ireland, dies aged 34

Ciara Mageean, pictured in Glasgow in 2019, competed at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games and was ‘respected and loved ’. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA View image in fullscreen Ciara Mageean, pictured in Glasgow in 2019, competed at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games and was ‘respected and loved ’. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Ciara Mageean, European 1500m gold medallist with Ireland, dies aged 34 Mageean won 2024 European 1500m title in Rome Athlete described as ‘an inspiration to so many’ The Irish middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean, who won European gold and competed at two Olympic Games, has died aged 34, her family have announced. The athlete, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, died at 6.30am on Sunday. In a post on social media, her family said she was surrounded , adding: “A beloved daughter, sister, wife, friend and inspiration to so many, she will be deeply missed.” Mageean was one of the most high‑profile athletes in Ireland, specialising in the 1500m event. She represented Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2020 Tokyo Games, as well as holding a slew of Irish records. She became the first individual Irish European champion since Sonia O’Sullivan when she won gold at the 2024 championships in Rome. Mageean was unable to compete at the 2024 Olympics because of an achilles injury. The following year, she announced she had been diagnosed with cancer. She went on to marry her partner, Thomas Moran, in October only weeks before her death. Micheál Martin, the Taoiseach, said he was deeply saddened at her passing. “My heartfelt sympathies go to her husband Thomas, all her family and friends,” he said. The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, described the news as heartbreaking. He said: “She was a European champion, two-time Olympian, a proud Irish athlete and an extraordinary person.” Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, said Mageean demonstrated “extraordinary talent, determination and dedication”, adding: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ciara Mageean, and I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to her husband Tommy, her parents, family, friends and everyone who loved her. “Ciara’s achievements in athletics brought immense pride to her local community and to people right across Ireland. From representing Ireland at two Olympic Games to winning European championship gold in Rome in 2024, Ciara demonstrated extraordinary talent, determination and dedication. View image in fullscreen Ciara Mageean (left) competing for Northern Ireland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA“However, beyond the medals, records and sporting accolades, Ciara will be remembered for her warmth, courage and tremendous strength of character.