05-07-2025
Ciara Mageean reveals shock cancer diagnosis in emotional statement
Olympian Ciara Mageean has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 33-year-old runner revealed her shock news on Instagram yesterday evening.
Ms Mageean posted: 'To everyone who's been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I have been diagnosed with cancer.' Olympian Ciara Mageean has revealed that she has been diagnosed with cancer. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
She went on to say: 'It's been a lot to take in, but I've already started treatment and I'm incredibly grateful to be surrounded by the love and support of my family and close friends. Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time.
'I kindly ask that you respect my privacy and that of my loved ones as we move through this together. Your understanding means more than I can say.'
Ms Mageean thanked her fans for 'the love and strength', saying she was 'ready to face this with the same fight I've always brought to the track'. The 33-year-old runner revealed her shock news on Instagram yesterday evening. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
The runner from Co. Down last raced 12 months ago in Monaco. She showed strong form at the European Championships in Rome, where she beat British runner Georgia Hunter Bell to claim gold in the 1500m.
Ms Bell went on to win bronze at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Ms Mageean was unfortunately forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to an Achilles tendon issue.
This resulted in her undergoing surgery in London that September. Ms Mageean spent the winter months of 2024 recovering before starting to run again earlier this year. Thomas Moran and Ciara Mageean. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
She had her sights set on the Tokyo World Championship this September but, due to an ankle injury in May, gave up on the idea of competing.
Despite setbacks with her ankle and Achilles tendon, she still had strong ambitions of competing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, a promise she made to herself after pulling out of the Paris Olympics.
Recalling this painful moment, she said: 'I phoned my family and told them I was withdrawing, which was tough because they'd flown all that way to watch their daughter race at the Olympics. I gave up on that dream then.'
However, she added: 'My dream may have been dashed but in that moment, I firmly set my sights on the next four-year cycle.'
Ms Mageean holds the record as Ireland's fastest woman at the 800m, 1000m, 1500m and the mile. She was a semi-finalist at the Olympics in Rio in 2016 and has travelled to three Olympic Games.
She is a four-time European medallist and has been a finalist in the world 1500m competition twice and placed fourth at Budapest in 2023.
Ms Mageean was based in England for seven years after moving to Manchester to work with Team New Balance, under coach Steve Vernon.
She lives in Belfast with fiancé Thomas Moran.
