Ciara Mageean

UCD Alumni Award in Sport 2024

BSc 2017 Public Health Physio & Sport Sc

Ciara Mageean, a physiotherapist and international middle-distance track athlete, is recognised as one of Ireland’s finest athletes. She has represented Ireland in the 1500m at the Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 Olympics, where she had to withdraw due to an achilles injury. In June 2024 Ciara Mageean became the European 1,500m Champion in Rome, adding a gold medal to her silver in 2022 and bronze in 2016 at the European  Athletics Championships. She also claimed a bronze medal at the 2019 European Indoor Championships and achieved a fourth place finish at the World Championships in 2023, setting a new Irish 1,500m record. Ciara improved that record a month later with a stunning 3.55.87 at the Brussels Diamond League. The Co. Down athlete now holds all Irish middle- distance records: 800m (1.58.51), 1,000m (2.31.06), 1,500m (3.55.87) and the Mile (4.14.58).

Ciara always wanted to represent Ireland at the highest level, the choice a toss-up between camogie and athletics. As her ultimate dream was to participate in the Olympics, athletics won the toss and a brilliant underage career, winning World Junior Silver and European Youth gold, was to set her on the path to success.