“This time a year ago, I became European Champion 🥇🇮🇪 The memory of that finish line, and standing on the podium as Amhrán na bhFiann roared around me still gives me chills. I’m so grateful for those moments sport has given me, and for all the people who helped me get there.” Just three weeks ago, this track and field athlete was celebrating her 1-year-old championship. In Rome, she claimed  Gold in the 1500 m with a time of 4:04.66. But what awaited her is more tragic than any other thing in this world, and it’s heartbreaking.

Bad news comes from Ciara Mageean, both in her career and health. She tore her calf muscle just eight days before her Olympic 1500 m heat in Tokyo. Despite this, she ran, but could only manage 10th place in her heat with a time of 4:07.29, which was not enough to advance to the semi-finals. She had to withdraw before competing in the Paris Olympics due to a chronic Achilles injury. But this health update is far beyond what was imagined. Heartbreaking in many ways…

July 4, 2025 – A concerning picture was posted on the Instagram of the Rome and Tokyo Olympics participant. The image showed her receiving intravenous (IV) treatment. Her arm was extended on a padded armrest, and an IV line was inserted into a vein near the elbow, secured with transparent tape, and connected to a catheter. She wrote in her caption, “To everyone who’s been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I’ve been diagnosed with cancer. 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.”  

Her last race was in the Monaco Diamond League in 2024, where she finished second with a time of 4:15.01. As of March–May 2025, Ciara was slowly resuming running, limited to 2–3 workouts per week while focusing on rehab, cross-training, and patience after her surgery last year. But now this. She also said, “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.”

Femke Bol, amidst her loss,  commented, “❤️❤️ sending you love and strength“. And to every athlete, friend, family and fan who has been wishing her, she wrote for them in the caption, “Thank you for the love and strength. I’m ready to face this with the same fight I’ve always brought to the track. 💛” She was aiming for the World Championships in Septembers. The track and field community, while distraught, can only hope she does get better.

Track and field community sends prayers to the 2X Olympian

Any injury that keeps an athlete out of a race is a hard thing to digest for track and field fans. This is cancer. “You’ve always been a powerful force in Irish sport and now more than ever, you remind us what real strength looks like. Everyone of us is behind you, Ciara. Sending all our love and support.” Ciara Mageean holds all four Irish middle-distance records—running 1:58.51 for 800 m, 2:31.06 for 1000 m, 3:55.87 for 1500 m, and 4:14.58 for the mile.

Another fan used her records to motivate her, saying, “The wee girl from Portaferry has done unimaginable things and beaten the world before, go do it again @ciaramageeanrun 🙏 🇮🇪” Another one of them noted, “Ciara, not that long ago I was talking to a group about this brilliant athlete from 🇮🇪 that had overcome many struggles to become a European Champion. Such a talent and role model to all. Love ❤and best wishes 🙏from all your fans in Vietnam 🇻🇳.” When she won the women’s 1500 m gold at the 2024 European Athletics Championships in Rome, she brought home the European title to Ireland after 23 years.

One other person commented, “You are truly an inspiration to so many people Ciara. We are all behind you in this fight. You and your family as always have our full support every step of the way. We know you’ll be back better and strong. We send our love and best wishes to you Ciara💙” And this was not only a fan, she was inspiring. Throughout her career, she has inspired countless. And now it’s time for her to get inspired by the ones she once lit up.

Listen to this fan say, “Such a shock to read this but you were an inspiration to my daughter and her cancer battle after she met you at the Stormont mile. I hope all those kids you inspired can now be an inspiration to you in your fight. 💚,” All prayers to Ciara Mageean.