Two-time Olympian Ciara Mageean has died at the age of 34 after a battle with bowel cancer, her family announced Sunday. Her passing came just weeks after her wedding.
Mageean, who represented Ireland in the 1500-meter race at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, revealed her stage 4 bowel cancer diagnosis in July 2026. She shared that the cancer had spread to her lungs and liver.
"At 6:30 a.m. 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," her family said in a statement on her Instagram page. The statement included an Irish blessing, "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam," which translates to "May her soul be at the right hand of God."
In June, Mageean had shared with RTÉ, Ireland's national broadcaster, that her doctors had given her a prognosis of "two to three years." She had initially sought medical attention due to unusual bowel movements, encouraged by her partner.
Mageean and her then-longtime partner, Tommy Moran, married on October 12 in an intimate ceremony at Belfast City Hall. They celebrated with friends and family on October 25, one week before her death.
Mageean was a prominent figure in Irish athletics, specializing in the 1500 meters. She became the second Irish athlete to win an individual European title after her gold medal victory at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome.
Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin expressed his condolences on X, formerly Twitter, stating, "Deeply saddened at the untimely passing of Ciara Mageean. My heartfelt sympathies go to her husband Thomas, all her family and friends." Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris described her death as "heartbreaking," remembering her as "a European champion, two-time Olympian, a proud Irish athlete and an extraordinary person."