Shock as Co Down's European 1500m champion and Olympian Ciara Mageean (33) reveals cancer diagnosis
She has previously won silver and bronze medals at the European Championships.
She shared her diagnosis in a post on social media on Friday evening.
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'To everyone who's been part of my journey so far, I have some difficult news to share: I've been diagnosed with cancer,' she said.
'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.
'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.
'Thank you for the love and strength. I'm ready to face this with the same fight I've always brought to the track.'
After recovering from a serious ankle injury, she came third in the 2016 European Championships and was a runner-up in 2022 before topping the podium in Rome last year.
'My sights are firmly set on the next Olympic games in LA' Ciara Mageean
Mageean made her Olympic debut in Rio in 2016 and competed at the delayed 2021 Games in Tokyo, where her preparations were hampered by a calf issue.
She was set to race at the Paris Olympics last year as a reigning European champion but an Achilles injury ruled her out on the eve of her 1500m heat.
Mageean's impressive career has also included a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022, fourth place at the World Championships in 2023, and Irish records in the 800m, 1,000m, 1500m and mile.
She was named the 2023 BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year.
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