Two-time Olympian and European gold medallist dies weeks after her Belfast wedding

Last updated: November 01, 2026 | 21:27

Ciara Mageean AFP

Belfast: Irish middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean, who won European gold and competed at two Olympic Games, has died aged 34, her family announced on Sunday.

"At 6:30am this morning, Ciara lost her battle with cancer surrounded by her loved ones," said a statement posted on the athlete's Instagram account.

Mageean's death comes just weeks after she married her long-term boyfriend in Belfast.

She had been receiving treatment for bowel cancer, revealing her diagnosis in July 2025 and subsequently disclosing that the disease was at an advanced stage.

Originally from Portaferry in County Down, Northern Ireland, Mageean established herself as one of Ireland's leading middle-distance runners, setting several national records.

She represented Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the Tokyo Games held in 2021.

Her greatest sporting achievement came in 2024 when she…