18 April 2024 , 15:43
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Teenage gymnast María Herranz Gomez has sadly died after suffering from meningitis.
The 17-year-old died in the early hours of Thursday morning at a hospital in the city of Guadalajara an hour’s drive north-east of Madrid. Gomez’ death was confirmed by town hall chiefs in the Spanish town of Cabanillas del Campo - where she was born.
A statement confirmed the news read: “Maria has left us suddenly due to a terrible meningitis that has taken her in just 24 hours, leaving the town in a state of inconsolable sadness.
“Cabanillas del Campo town hall wishes to express its deep pain over this tragic circumstance and sends its most sincere condolences to Maria’s family and friends, especially her parents Raquel and Alfonso, her little brother and her grandparents, uncles and aunts and cousins, many of whom live in the area. Rest in peace Maria. We will remember you always.”
Tributes have poured in since Gomez’ death was confirmed. Miguel Quesada wrote on Facebook : “A hug to her family and friends.” Another well-wisher wrote: “How terrible. Her whole life ahead of her and this happens.”
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Gomez performed at the 2023 Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in Birmingham. She was one of nearly 1000 gymnasts from over 40 countries who competed at the Championships.
It took place at Utilita Arena in Birmingham from November 9th to 19th and was a primary qualification event for the Olympic discipline of Trampoline at the 2024 Paris Games. Gomez’s passing is the second heart-breaking event to take place ahead of this summer’s games.
María Herranz Gomez was targeting a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics (Getty Images)Last month, a swimmer who won five medals in the three paralympic games, died. Brazilian Joana Neves, 37, suffered from a cardiac arrest on March 18. She had been hospitalised in Sao Paulo for tests after suffering from fits. Joana was born with bone growth disorder achondroplasia.
It caused dwarfism due to a genetic mutation in the arms and legs. Despite that, she still enjoyed a glittering career. She won a total of 15 medals in world paralympic swimming championships between 2013 and 2022.
She also took part in three Paralympics, winning two silver and three bronze medals at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. She had taken up swimming as a 10-year-old on medical advice and started competing three years later.
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