Tributes have been pouring in for Ciara Mageean, the European champion and Olympian, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 34. Mageean represented both Ireland and Northern Ireland with remarkable distinction, culminating in her victory as the European 1500m champion in 2024.

Diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in May 2025, she continued to inspire many with her unwavering courage and determination.

BBC Sport takes a moment to reflect on her illustrious career:

• An energetic child, Mageean enjoyed playing camogie alongside her passion for running.
• She had a decorated junior athletics career, finishing third for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008.
• In 2009, she won the European Youth Olympic Festival in Finland and secured second place at the World Youth Championships for Ireland.
• Making her mark in senior athletics, Mageean claimed the National Senior Indoor title at just 15 years old.

Despite setbacks, including missing the London Olympics in 2012 due to injury and undergoing ankle surgery the following year, Mageean bounced back to win the Irish 1500m title in 2014. Her performance at the European Championships in 2016 earned her a bronze medal in Amsterdam.

However, the Rio Olympics proved disappointing as she could not advance to the 1500m final. In 2017, she made a significant change by parting ways with long-time coach Jerry Kiernan to train with Steve Vernon in Manchester.