Julieta Gallego, the 24‑year‑old long jumper whose 5.90‑metre record lit up the club circuit, was killed in a high‑speed train collision that left 69 dead.
The accident, which tore through the Madrid‑Andalusia line between Mora and Orgaz, left more than 100 injured and sent shockwaves across the sports world.
Gallego’s 5.90‑metre personal best, set in Antequera last year, had already made her a rising star for AD Sprint and a benchmark for Madrid‑based athletes.
RFEA president Raul Chapado said, “Today, the sport mourns the passing of Julieta, a life ahead of her that has been unjustly extinguished.”
With 544 passengers aboard, the derailment also claimed former minister Fátima Báñez, adding another layer of tragedy to the incident.
The Spanish athletics community is now rallying for tighter safety protocols for athletes traveling between competitions, as officials pledge to investigate the crash and prevent future disasters.