European 1500m Champion Ciara Mageean Discloses Cancer Diagnosis

Irish middle-distance runner Ciara Mageean, the reigning European 1,500-metre champion and a two-time Olympian, disclosed on Friday that she has been diagnosed with cancer and has already begun treatment. In a short statement the 33-year-old said the diagnosis had been “a lot to take in” but thanked family and friends for their support, adding that her immediate focus is on healing and asking the public to respect her privacy. Mageean secured her first major outdoor title last year in Rome and holds the Irish records in the 800 m, 1,000 m, 1,500 m and the mile. Injury forced her to miss the Paris Games in 2024, yet she has previously said she remains intent on competing at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill and fellow athletes including Femke Bol and Gesa Krause were among those who sent messages of support. Mageean did not disclose the type or stage of the cancer, and no timetable has been given for her return to competition.