Dr. Szabó Lajos: Nők a magyar sportban (A Sportmúzeum Kincsei 3. Budapest, 2003)

THE ROLE OF SKATING IN WOMEN'S LIFE Skating became a common sport in 17th century's Europe. That century had relatively low average temperatures and thus provided favorable geographical conditions for winter sports. Aristocrats and civilians took up skating as a favorite leisure activity and skating became an acknowledged form of social life for men and women. Frozen lakes, rivers and artificially developed lakes like that at the Városliget (City Park) in Pest all served as stages of a vivid skating life. The development of competitive skating in Hungary was begun in the late 19th century. International success was accomplished by mainly the female skaters. Lili Kronberger and Opika Méray-Horváth won several world championships in the first decades of the 20th century. The first women's Olympic champion title was also won by a skater: Emilia Rotter in figure skating doubles with László Szollás at the Lake Placid Games in 1932. She was later followed by Olga Kékesi, Marianna Nagy, Zsuzsa Almási and Krisztina Regó'czy, all of whom contributed medals or prestigious tournament achievements to the reputation of Hungary's female skaters. Speed skater Emese Hunyady won an Olympic Gold in 1994, though she participated under Austria's colors. Skating retained its role as a stage of social life in the 20th century as well. The skating rinks in Budapest and the region are popular meeting places for both elder and younger generations, where active outdoor sporting can promote a healthy lifestyle for men and women.