Ciara Mageean Irish Olympian and European Champion athlete
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What inspired Ciara Mageean to write 'My Greatest Race'?
The Clare Byrne Show on Newstalk with Aviva Insurance.
I'm delighted now to be joined in the studio by Olympian and 2004 1500 metre European champion Ciara McGeehan. You're so welcome. Oh, thank you so much for having me on. Lovely to see you. I feel like I spent the weekend with you because I was reading the book, My Greatest Race. I could not put it down. Is that the sort of feedback that you're getting now?
Yeah, and do you know what? Sometimes I'm like, is that just my family telling me that? I'm like, nobody's going to tell me anything, anything bad. But yeah, people have got in touch and they've let me know how grasping the story was, which is lovely. And it's a testament to Cliona's ability to get... Cliona Foley, who wrote the book with you.
And you talk as well about sitting with her and going through the story, which I'm sure meant that you got to know each other so well over that time.
Cliona's followed my career as a sports journalist.
How has Ciara's cancer diagnosis impacted her athletic career?
And I think... It was a really beautiful moment that we came together to write this book. I love that Cliona was there throughout all of that. So she knew the intimacy of the sport, but she probably didn't really necessarily get to know me. And she was wonderful. She was there for me throughout this whole book journey, nearly as a therapist as much as a co-author. But she did a phenomenal job because everybody tells me my voice comes across well in the story and in the book. And that's like it's a testament to her fantastic writing ability.
And, you know, when I was thinking about you coming in, I was thinking about the fact that it's been it's been quite a week for you because, you know, since the Irish Times piece came out, I know you've been speaking publicly in other interviews as well about your diagnosis. But that's the first time that we really got the detail on it. Yeah. What's that been like for you?
It's been interesting because I feel for the people who are interviewing me because it's very raw for you that you're reading the story and suddenly noise, probably the first time that maybe people are grasping that it's stage four. And I know that early doors, many people probably thought it's an early stage. That's what I hoped myself at my initial diagnosis.
What role did Cliona Foley play in Ciara's book writing process?
I've been processing it for a long time. So I think people are surprised at how candidly and how open I am with discussing the depths of this chemo journey and this cancer journey. But listen, me and my family have been having the really dark days throughout this past year of processing that. Now, it also has been a little bit raw. And I'd say actually for me, the biggest thing is whenever people give me feedback on the book or on my interviews and realizing how much my journey and my story is touching others. It's something that I really hoped would be the case. But I probably didn't just fully appreciate just how much it might change. be a positive impact for those that are going through a tough time.
Have you had all of those messages? I'd say you have.
I have. And they've been so lovely. And people are reaching out and telling me that hearing me verbalise how I've been feeling throughout this journey and my concerns for my family. It's been really nice to hear from other cancer patients to let, you know, they just want to let me know that this is something that's they're going through too and that thank you for verbalising it and like even last night I chatted to Michael Dara was there obviously we had an amazing time on Uncharted and talking to his sister who's been through such a tough journey herself I realised that it's not just people who have cancer that are going to maybe read this book and resonate with it and talking to her about how difficult that is I'm talking about trying to get second opinions and they're obviously there promoting organ donation and
What challenges has Ciara faced during her cancer journey?
which is I would strongly urge people because I wouldn't have appreciated that the numbers are dropping, which is insane. And, you know, sharing my story gives me an opportunity to say how tough this has been, but in finding the joy in every day.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What inspired Ciara Mageean to write 'My Greatest Race'?
0:01–0:54
2
How has Ciara's cancer diagnosis impacted her athletic career?
0:54–1:58
3
What role did Cliona Foley play in Ciara's book writing process?
1:58–3:27
4
What challenges has Ciara faced during her cancer journey?
3:27–4:28
5
How does Ciara find joy amidst her health struggles?
4:28–5:42
6
What insights does Ciara share about her support system?
5:42–7:01
7
How does Ciara reflect on her athletic achievements and identity?
7:01–7:55
8
What are Ciara's hopes for the future following her diagnosis?
7:55–27:14
Speakers
3 identifiedMore from The Claire Byrne Show
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