Spanish athletics is mourning the death of Julieta Gallego, a 24-year-old long jumper whose life was cut short in the devastating high-speed train collision in Urda, Toledo province.
Gallego, who represented the Madrid-based athletics club AD Sprint, was among the victims of the October 28, 2026, railway disaster. Her death was confirmed by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA), which shared a message of condolence for the young athlete, her family, friends, and teammates.
Her passing has brought particular sadness to Spain’s athletics community, where she was known as a promising competitor in the long jump and a member of the AD Sprint club.
The tragedy has also drawn attention to the lives of the many passengers affected by the collision, which claimed dozens of lives and left numerous others injured.
Who Was Julieta Gallego?
Julieta Gallego was a Spanish track and field athlete who specialized in the long jump. She competed for AD Sprint, a Madrid-based athletics club, and regularly participated in Spanish club competitions.
According to reports published after her death, Gallego turned 24 on October 9, 2026. She was living in Germany at the time of the accident, although she remained connected to her athletics club in Spain.
Her sporting record included a personal-best long jump of 5.90 metres, achieved in Antequera in 2023. The result reflected her dedication to the discipline and her experience competing at club level.
Although she was still young, Gallego had already established a place within the AD Sprint athletics community. Her death has left teammates and fellow athletes grieving the loss of someone they regarded as part of their sporting family.
How Did Julieta Gallego Die?
Gallego died in the high-speed train collision that occurred in the municipality of Urda, in Spain’s Toledo province, on October 28, 2026.
The accident involved two passenger trains travelling along the railway corridor connecting Madrid with southern Spain. The collision caused severe damage to the trains and triggered a major emergency response involving rescue teams, police, medical personnel, and other emergency services.
Authorities reported that the disaster resulted in at least 69 deaths, with many additional passengers injured.
The Royal Spanish Athletics Federation subsequently confirmed that Gallego was among those who lost their lives.
Her death was directly linked to the railway accident, rather than an illness or a sporting incident. However, the available reports did not provide individual details about the circumstances in which she died.
AD Sprint Pays Tribute to Its Athlete
Following confirmation of her death, AD Sprint released an emotional statement remembering Gallego as a member of its long-jump group.
The club expressed its sadness and extended condolences to her family, friends, teammates, and everyone who knew her.
It also announced a minute of silence in her memory at its athletics facilities in Paracuellos and Santa Ana.
The tribute reflected the close relationship between athletes and their clubs, particularly in competitive environments where teammates train and participate in events together over extended periods.
For AD Sprint, Gallego’s death represented the loss of a member of its athletics family.
Spanish Athletics Federation Confirms Her Passing
The Royal Spanish Athletics Federation also issued a public message expressing grief over Gallego’s death.
The federation extended its condolences and support to her relatives, loved ones, and fellow club members.
RFEA president Raúl Chapado also spoke about the loss, describing it as a deeply painful moment for the Spanish athletics community.
The federation’s statement helped confirm her identity among the victims and brought national attention to the death of the young athlete.
Her passing has become part of the wider mourning following the train disaster, with sporting organizations and individuals remembering the victims.
Julieta Gallego’s Athletic Record and Personal Best
Gallego’s sporting background was closely associated with the long jump, an athletics discipline that requires speed, strength, coordination, and precise technique.
She recorded a personal best of 5.90 metres in Antequera in 2023 and participated in Spain’s club championships as a representative of AD Sprint.
Her results and involvement in club athletics reflected years of training and commitment to the sport.
While the available public information does not provide a complete record of every competition she entered, her club and the national federation’s tributes demonstrate the place she held within the Spanish athletics community.
A Young Life Remembered After Spain’s Railway Tragedy
The death of Julieta Gallego has added another personal dimension to the tragedy in Toledo.
Behind the casualty figures are individuals with families, friendships, ambitions, and communities that must now cope with their absence. For Gallego’s relatives and teammates, the loss is especially painful because she was only 24 and still had much of her life ahead of her.
Her athletics club’s tribute and the federation’s message have ensured that her contribution to Spanish sport is remembered alongside the wider coverage of the disaster.
As Spain continues to mourn those killed in the collision, Julieta Gallego will be remembered as a young athlete who represented AD Sprint and was part of the country’s athletics community.
Key Facts About Julieta Gallego
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Julieta Gallego |
| Age | 24 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Profession | Track and field athlete |
| Sporting discipline | Long jump |
| Athletics club | AD Sprint, Madrid |
| Personal best | 5.90 metres |
| Personal-best year | 2023 |
| Location of record | Antequera, Spain |
| Reported residence | Germany |
| Date of death | October 28, 2026 |
| Cause of death | High-speed train collision |
| Accident location | Urda, Toledo province, Spain |
| Confirming organization | Royal Spanish Athletics Federation |
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on statements from the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, AD Sprint, and published news reports. Sporting information and details about the railway accident are drawn from those sources. Additional personal or funeral information may be updated if released by her family or club.