Two-time Olympian Mageean dies aged 34

Mageean became a European champion in 2024 [Getty Images]European champion and two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has died at the age of 34.

>Mageean represented Ireland at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, but was forced to withdraw from the 2024 Paris Games because of an Achilles injury.

>Earlier in 2024, she had clinched the first major title of her career when she took 1500m gold at the European Championships in Rome.

>Prior to that she had also represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, winning 1500m silver at Birmingham 2022.

>Mageean, from Portaferry in Northern Ireland, revealed in July last year that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

>A statement posted on her social media on Sunday said: "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.

>"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam."

>In a statement on social media, Athletics Ireland said: "We are heartbroken. An inspiration to so many, Ciara will be remembered for her courage, kindness and incredible spirit.

>"Our deepest sympathies are with her family, friends and loved ones at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Ciara."

>Earlier this month, Mageean wed her long-term partner Thomas Moran in a small civil ceremony in Belfast.

>A talented athlete from a young age, Mageean played camogie for Portaferry GAC, but her dream of representing Ireland at the Olympics led her to pursue a career in athletics.

>Her running prowess was clear during an impressive junior career that yielded 1500m silvers at the 2010 World Junior Championships and 2011 European Junior Championships. She also reached the 2010 Commonwealth Games 1500m final as an 18-year-old.

>However, Mageean's early progress in the senior ranks was hampered by a serious ankle injury, which ended her hopes of making her Olympic debut at London 2012.

>Having had surgery in 2013, Mageean won the Irish 1500m title on her return in July 2014.

>In 2016, she claimed 1500m bronze at the European Championships in Amsterdam, but her Olympic debut ended in disappointment as she exited the 1500m competition at the semi-final stage.

>In late 2017, Mageean left her Dublin base to join Steve Vernon's Team New Balance in Manchester after parting ways with coach Jerry Kiernan.

>And while she endured some disappointing results following the move, Mageean claimed a European Indoor bronze medal in March 2019 before clocking two minutes 31.06 seconds to take 3.6 seconds off Sonia O'Sullivan's 27-year-old Irish 1,000m record at the 2020 Diamond League Monaco meet.

Mageean won a gold medal at the 2024 European Championships in Rome [Getty Images]Mageean endured more Olympic heartache at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, when a calf injury disrupted her preparations as she exited from the heats.

>However, she enjoyed a successful 2022 campaign under the guidance of former Great Britain Olympian Helen Clitheroe, winning 1500m European and Commonwealth silver behind Laura Muir.

>Two weeks after the Euros, Mageean beat Muir and a world-class field to seal a stunning 1500m victory at Diamond League Brussels. Her time of 3:56.63 took 2.22 seconds off O'Sullivan's Irish record and marked her first sub four-minute run.

>In 2023, Mageean narrowly missed out on a World Championship medal as she finished fourth in a high-class final in Budapest.

>However, after taking over two seconds off O'Sullivan's Irish mile record in July, Mageean was named the 2023 BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year.

>After a string of near-misses at championship level, Mageean secured the biggest win of her career at the 2024 European Championships in Rome.

>In a gripping final, Mageean found herself boxed in behind Great Britain duo Georgia Bell and Jemma Reekie, but managed to dart through a gap and power down the straight to victory in 4:04.66.

>An ecstatic Mageean, who won admirers for her honest and emotional post-race interviews down the years, said "words can't even come close" to describing how she felt after sealing the first major title of her career.

>After Mageean's jubilation in Rome, injury again interrupted her Olympic bid as an Achilles injury forced her to withdraw on the eve of her heat in Paris.