European 1500m champion and two-time Olympian diagnosed with cancer

Ciara Mageean has courageously revealed she is fighting cancer. The European Champion and two-time Olympian shared her battle with the illness on social media, revealing that she's already begun treatment.

In a touching statement, the 1500m runner showed her resolve, stating: "I'm ready to face this with the same fight I've always brought to the track."

Mageean opened up in her post, saying: "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."

She further stated: "Right now, my focus is on healing and taking things one day at a time.

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"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."

Expressing thanks for the support received, she remarked: "Thank you for the love and strength. I'm ready to face this with the same fight I've always brought to the track."

Mageean, who turned 33 earlier this year, had to pull out of the Paris 2024 Olympics due to an injury. She has expressed her ambition to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles games.

The 1500m specialist has medalled three times at the European Championships, winning bronze in 2016 and silver in 2022 before a stunning gold medal performance last June.

A persistent Achilles injury forced her to pull out of the Paris Olympics, although she had previously taken part in the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Games.

Mageean's illustrious career includes a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and a fourth-place finish at the 2023 World Championships, missing a medal by a mere six-tenths of a second. She currently holds the Irish national records for the 800m, 1000m, 1500m, and the mile.