Ciara Mageean: 'With limited time comes added pressure, but I see that as a privilege'

At some championships in the past, she has allowed intrusive thoughts to take over. But having worked with sports psychologist Kate Kirby for several years, Mageean has learned how to counter that

Mageean after finishing third in her women's 1500m heat during day one of the 2024 European Athletics Championships at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome

You would think, with time, it gets easier. But it doesn’t. Ciara Mageean knows that when she walks out on track at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome tomorrow night ahead of the European 1500m final, she’ll be greeted with a familiar flood of adrenaline – and nerves.

“Sometimes I get even more nervous now,” she admits. “With age, you become more aware of the time you have left in the sport. I’m 32 now, so a tiny part of me is more aware of just how many championships and years you might have left. With that comes a little bit of added pressure, but I try to see it as a privilege.”