Ciara Mageean, the celebrated Irish middle-distance runner, is setting her sights on the Tokyo World Championships 2024, despite the challenges posed by her recent ankle surgery. Mageean, who won the European 1500m title in Rome last June, had to withdraw from the Paris Olympics due to the injury, which ultimately required surgical intervention.

Road to Recovery

Currently, Mageean is in a gradual recovery phase, running three days a week. She acknowledges that this pace is slow, especially for an athlete of her caliber, but emphasizes the importance of patience. "I'm running three days a week. It doesn't seem like much, but I'm learning to be patient," she stated during the launch of Sport NI's 'Be Seen, Be Heard, Belong' campaign, which focuses on supporting women and girls in sports.

Targets Ahead

Her primary goal for this year is to qualify for the World Championships scheduled from 13-21 September in Tokyo. "My aim this year is to try to get to the World Championships at the end of the summer," Mageean revealed, adding that this ambition keeps her motivated during her rigorous cross-training sessions.

Long-term Vision

While the immediate focus is on Tokyo, Mageean is also looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "My big goal is the next Olympics in LA, so I have plenty of time to get ready for that," she mentioned, highlighting her long-term vision and commitment to the sport.

Advocating for Women in Sports

Mageean also took the opportunity to speak passionately about the importance of increasing female participation in sports. "No matter what you look like, where you're from... you can find your place in sport," she asserted, underscoring the inclusive message of the Sport NI campaign.

Community Support

At the event, Mageean was joined by other local sporting icons like Lady Mary Peters and Tanya Oxtoby, along with Conor Meyler, a Tyrone Gaelic footballer who emphasized the need for male support in promoting gender equality in sports leadership.

Conclusion

Ciara Mageean's journey is a testament to resilience and determination. As she continues her recovery, her story serves as an inspiration to many, proving that success is not linear and that setbacks can be stepping stones to greater achievements.