Slovakian Olympian Denisa Barankova, 24, dead after being hit by car

Two-time Olympian archer Denisa Baránková died after being struck by a car on Monday in her native Slovakia.

She was 24.

Baránková was reportedly struck by a 42-year-old male driver of a BMW X5 in Petržalka, Bratislava, on Monday. An 11-year-old girl was also hit by the driver and suffered chest and head injuries, but ultimately survived the ordeal.

Slovakian police are now investigating the incident.

“While driving in the parking lot in front of a residential building, the driver (42) did not pay enough attention to the steering wheel for reasons that have not yet been determined, as a result of which he crashed into a parked vehicle. He then crossed onto a grassy area, where he collided with two people, “Bratislava regional police spokesman Michal Szeiff told Slovakian outlet Správy.

Baránková competed for her country in both the 2020 Tokyo and 2024 Paris Olympics. Although she did not win medals in those competitions, in 2021 at the European Championships, she became the first archer from Slovakia to win a medal by placing third.

The medal allowed her to become the first Slovakian archer to qualify for the World Games.

Four years later, in 2025, she won gold at the World Games held in Chengdu, China.

The World Games released a statement to remember “one of the brightest talents in archery.”

“The International World Games Association is deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Denisa Hurban Baránková, gold medallist in Field Archery — Recurve at The World Games 2025 in Chengdu.”

The statement added that she embodied the spirit of The World Games – “excellence, passion, and dedication. “

“Her loss, under such sudden and tragic circumstances, has left the global sports community in shock and grief,” the statement said. “On behalf of the IWGA and the entire The World Games family, we extend our deepest condolences to her husband, her family, her teammates, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.”