“A LIFE FULL OF PROMISE”: 24-YEAR-OLD ATHLETE JULIETA GALLEGO AMONG THE VICTIMS OF DEVASTATING SPAIN TRAIN CRASH

The talented Spanish long jumper, who lived in Germany and competed for AD Sprint, was remembered by the country’s athletics community after her death in the railway disaster in Urda, Toledo.

Spain’s athletics community is mourning the loss of 24-year-old Julieta Gallego, a promising young athlete who was among those killed in the devastating train collision in Toledo.

The Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) confirmed her death on Thursday, October 29, expressing its condolences to her family, friends and teammates.

Julieta was a long jumper who competed for Madrid-based athletics club AD Sprint. She had been living in Germany while continuing her sporting journey and had returned to Spain in the days before the tragedy.

She had celebrated her 24th birthday on October 9.

A YOUNG ATHLETE WITH BIG AMBITIONS

Julieta was a familiar competitor at Spanish club athletics championships and was regarded as one of the promising members of her club’s jumping group.

Her personal best in the long jump was 5.90 metres, achieved at the Spanish Under-23 Championships in Antequera in 2023.

She also competed in sprint events, including the 60 metres.

For those who trained and competed alongside her, she was more than an athlete representing a club. She was part of a sporting family whose members shared the same dedication, effort and love of athletics.

“WE SAY GOODBYE TO OUR ATHLETE”

AD Sprint announced her death in an emotional tribute, describing the news as an extremely sad day for everyone at the club.

The club said:

“Today is a very sad day for the entire AD Sprint family. We say goodbye to our athlete Julieta Gallego, a member of our jumping group, who has left us following the tragic train accident in Urda, Toledo.”

The statement continued by offering its deepest condolences to her family, friends, teammates and everyone who loved her.

“Rest in peace, Julieta. You will always be part of our Sprint family.”

The club also organized moments of silence in her memory at its athletics training facilities.

THE TRAGEDY THAT SHOOK SPAIN

Julieta was among the victims of the high-speed train collision in Urda, in Spain’s Toledo province, on Wednesday, October 28.

Two trains travelling on the Madrid-to-Andalusia route were involved in the disaster, which claimed at least 69 lives, according to reports published after the crash.

The tragedy prompted an outpouring of grief across Spain, with the country’s athletics federation joining other organizations in paying tribute to those who lost their lives.

The circumstances of the collision remain under investigation.

A LEGACY THAT WILL REMAIN

For Julieta’s family, friends and teammates, the loss is deeply personal.

She was just 24, with years of sporting ambition and possibilities ahead of her. Her achievements on the track and in the long jump will remain part of the story she leaves behind.

The RFEA and AD Sprint have joined those mourning her death, remembering a young athlete whose place in their community will not be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Julieta Gallego.