Irish Olympian Ciarán Ó Lionáird dies aged 38

Irish runner, Ciarán Ó Lionáird, has passed away at the age of 38.

The former track athlete died in Montreal, Canada, on June 9.

Born in Cork, he represented Ireland in the 1500m at the 2012 London Olympics and took home a bronze medal in the Men's 3000m at the 2013 European Indoors.

Ó Lionáird's first World Championships with Ireland were in 2011, when he qualified for the 1500m final and finished 10th in the world.

He relocated to the US as part of his preparation for the 2012 games, but persistent Achilles issues had a constant effect on his career, and he finished 13th in his 1500m heat.

Despite securing a bronze medal at the European Indoors in 2013, he underwent two surgeries on his Achilles and retired from the sport at 28 years old.

Following the COVID-19 lockdown, he announced his intention to come out of retirement and compete in the Tokyo Olympics; however, illness precluded these plans, and he retired for a second time in 2020.

Cork Athletics said the news of his sudden death has caused "shock throughout the wider athletics world."

"Everyone at Cork Athletics extends their deepest condolences to Ciarán's family and friends," they said.