Magyar News, 2000. szeptember-2001. augusztus (11. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2000-11-01 / 3. szám
At the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney Australia, Hungary took 17 medals, -Z \_8 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze. The Olympic Games are always an amazing experience, for athlete and spectator alike. The 1956 Olympics held in Melbourne was no exception. With the Soviet invasion of Hungary fresh, some athletes chose to stay home and fight while others chose to represent Hungary and attend the Games. While there had been minor incidents, verbal insults aimed at the Russians during the games, nothing physical had happened. Then the Hungarian Water Polo team met the Russian team. The outcome was inevitable, Hungary had the best water polo team for years, while the Russians were not as accomplished. Near the end of the game, with only minutes left to play, Hungary had a 4 to 0 lead. The game had been a vicious one with many infractions done below water, where judges could not see, but nothing was evident above water. Then a Hungarian player emerged from an underwater melee with a wound above his left eye. The cut caused by a frustrated Soviet player. The formerly jubilant crowd, with thousands of Hungarian spectators, booed and hissed the Russian team. Many rushed to the pool side to defend their team, which seemed to carry the country's honor. Police controlled the spectators and the officials decided the game was over, and Hungary was declared the winner. There was no protest from the Russian team. Hungary won the gold medal with 7 victories and no defeats. Russia finished third. Agnes Keleti is still in the record books as the oldest gold medal winner at an Olympic Game. However her story started years before. In 1939, she was a medal hopeful but the 1940 Olympics were cancelled because of World War II. Agnes Keleti was Jewish and was expelled from her gymnastics club. All non-Aryan members were being expelled. When the Nazi forces moved into Hungary in 1941, Agnes, her sister and mother went into hiding. After purchasing false Christian identity papers, she worked as a maid for a German general. She supported her sister and mother, who were still in hiding. With peace in 1945, Agnes, now 24, began to train again in hopes of win-OLYMPICS Present and Past Notes from Monica Horlik ning a medal. When the Olympic Games were renewed in London in 1948, Agnes, then 27, made the national team. Unfortunately, three days before the competition, she tore a ligament in her ankle during a training session. She spent the time at the London Olympics as a spectator on crutches. In 1952, with the Helsinki Olympics, Agnes, now 31, once again made the Hungarian team. She astounded the world by winning a gold medal in the floor exercise, a silver and two bronze in other disciplines. She then turned her attention to training other young medal hopefuls. In 1956, when the Communist regime became reality Agnes knew she could not live in another suppressed society again. Competing in the Olympic Games in Melbourne was one way of getting out of the country. And so at the age of 35 she tried and made the team. Amazingly she won four gold medals: floor exercise, balance beam, asymmetrical bars and the Hungarian portable apparatus team, (an event no longer in existence). Thus becoming the oldest gymnast gold medalist in Olympic history . The name László Papp may not be recognizable as many other more famous boxers, however he still has a place in the Olympic history books. In London in 1948, László fought as a middleweight and won the gold medal. "I began boxing in 1944" said Papp. "Before winning my gold medal in London I had 51 amateur bouts and lost only one. Fortyseven of my victories were by knockouts. Nevertheless, in London nobody knew who I was until I won the gold medal." Four years later in Helsinki in 1952, László decided to go down to light-middleweight and won another gold medal with two of the five bouts by knockout. In 1956 with the Melbourne Olympics nearing, at the age of 30, Papp decide to try again for a medal. The Soviet army entered Budapest just before the Hungarian team was to leave for the Games. "The country was in turmoil, ...we were saddened because of so much killing and bloodshed. However, I thought I could do best for my country and compete". Papp said." I am not a Communist. I am a Catholic and a very religious man. My church, my religion, my country are very important to me." In a close fight with Jose Torres of the United States, Papp was awarded the decision and won his third gold medal. He made Olympic history as the first boxer to win three gold medals. One year later, he made history again. He was given permission to turn professional, a first for an athlete from a Communist country. Karoly Takacs was a sergeant in the Hungarian Army in 1938. He was also a member of the Hungarian pistol shooting team. The team was expected to win medals at the upcoming 1940 Tokyo Olympics. While on maneuvers one day, a defective pin on a hand grenade exploded before Karoly could toss it. He lost his right hand. After leaving the hospital, he decided to try shooting left handed. Karoly practiced by himself, no one knew of his progress. In 1939 he went to the pistol shooting championship, surprising everyone not only by shooting but by winning the competition. The 1940 and 1944 Olympics were cancelled because of World War II, it seemed unlikely Takacs would have a medal opportunity. When the Games were held in London in 1948, Takacs, now a Captain, made the Hungarian team. He was introduced to the 1947 world champion and gold medal favorite Carlos Valiente of Argentina. When Valiente asked Takacs why he was is London, Karoly responded "I'm here to learn". Takacs, now 38 years old, won the gold medal beating Valiente's world record by ten points. "Valiente won the silver medal" said Takacs. “And on the victory platform he congratulated me. Then he said, “Captain Takacs, you have learned enough.” At the 1952 Olympics held in Helsinki Takacs won the gold medal. Carlos Valiente finished fourth. After congratulating Karoly, Valiente said “You have learned too much. Now it is time for you to retire and teach me.” This information and much more can be found in Bud Greenspan's book 100 Greatest Moments in Olympic History. PETER A. PENCZER ATTORNEY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER 1375 KINGS HIGHWAY EAST FAIRFIELD, CT 06430 Phone: 203-331-9691 FAX: 203-331-8259 Whefeyer you ore« Hungary i/a cdJMtiaiuoy! * Daily top Hungarian news stories * Chat with other Hungarians and forecasts ★ Live Hungarian radio and TV *• Search over 1500 Hungarian products * Native homeland classifieds at OTTO’S HUNGARIAN DELI & IMPORTS ¥ Send flowers and gifts to friends and family in Hungary Connect With Your Community Jtxullgiii j ByNET.COm Page 7
