Ireland's Ciara Mageean has said her fourth-place finish in the 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest was 'bittersweet'.
The 31-year-old set a national record with a fourth-place finish in the 1500m. The Co Down native ran a time of 3.56.61 in the event, which was won by Kenya's now three-time World champion Faith Kipyegon. Second spot was taken by Diribe Welteji from Ethiopia in posting 3:55.69, with Dutch competitor Siffan Hassan third in 3:56.00.
After the race, the track star was interviewed and asked about how she felt. Mageean said the feeling of being the fourth best in the world was 'bittersweet'.
'I came into these championships with an aim - knowing that I had a chance to medal, probably feeling the best I ever felt going into a championship. To come away with fourth is so bittersweet," said the track star.
'But, honestly, I've had the season of my life. Many years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of fourth in the world at senior level.
Mageean also admitted that she has plans to wind down now, and that the Olympics in Paris in 2024 is firmly in her sights.
'We've got another year to the Olympics; I'm putting myself up in a fighting place in the 1500m, challenging the best in the world," she added.
🗣️ “To say that I stand here being disappointed with fourth in the world is something special…I’m proud of how I performed.”
Ciara Mageean reacts to her fourth place finish in the Women’s 1500m final at the World Championships, setting a new national record ✨🎤
What a star 🤩… pic.twitter.com/FuYyX0hmV9— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 22, 2023
'As my mummy says, all you can do is your best. So, I have to walk away with my head held high. I am not disappointed to get a medal around my neck and see the tricolour raised in the stadium. That dream lives on, and I've got as many races ahead of me next year and the year after.
'I feel I'm up there. I've earned my place and now people will fear when they see a wee tricolour up on the start line.'
Mageean is one of many female athletes that are inspiring the next generation of athletics stars in Ireland. This includes Sarah Lavin, Rhasidat Adeleke, and the likes of Sophie O'Sullivan.
In the same interview with Athletics Ireland, Mageean was told of how much she was an inspiration to the younger generation of people in Ireland and responded to the statement by telling younger people to follow their dreams to the best of their ability.
The 31-year-old said: "Thank you very much. You're going to make me cry."
She continued: "I'm just a little girl from a small town in Co Down, a little girl from Portaferry with big dreams. I always knew that I could be the best in the world and for every little girl the length and breadth of Ireland, the dreams that you have, be that sporting dreams, musical dreams, academic dreams, follow them with your whole heart because you can achieve absolutely anything.
"I'm so privileged to be in a position that they may look up to me a little bit, so thank you so much."
