Éva Székely facts for kids
Éva Székely in 1956
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 3 April 1927 Budapest, Kingdom of Hungary |
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| Died | 29 February 2020 (aged 92) Budapest, Hungary |
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| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | |||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Neményi MADISZ BVSC, Budapest |
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Medal record
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Éva Székely (born April 3, 1927 – died February 29, 2020) was an amazing Hungarian swimmer. She won a gold medal at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. She also earned a silver medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Éva set six world records and won 44 national swimming titles in Hungary. She was the first person to hold a world record in the 400-meter individual medley in 1953.
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Life and Swimming Career
Éva Székely was born in Budapest, Hungary. From a young age, she loved to swim.
Early Challenges and Resilience
In 1941, when Éva was 14, she set a national speed record. However, she faced big challenges because she was Jewish. She was not allowed to compete for four years. During World War II, she survived difficult times partly because she was a famous swimmer. To stay strong, she would run up and down five flights of stairs 100 times every day. This shows her incredible determination.
Family and Olympic Connections
After World War II, Éva met Dezső Gyarmati. He was a famous water polo player who won three Olympic gold medals. They later had a daughter named Andrea Gyarmati, born in 1954. Andrea also became a talented swimmer. She won two medals at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. After the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, Éva's family briefly moved to the United States. However, they soon returned to Hungary to care for Éva's parents.
Major Swimming Achievements
Éva Székely was a very successful swimmer.
- She won three gold medals at the 1947 World University Games.
- She won five gold medals at the 1951 World University Championship.
- At the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, she won the gold medal in the 200-meter breaststroke. She even set a new Olympic record!
- She won the silver medal in the same event at the 1956 Summer Olympics.
- Throughout her career, Éva set six world records.
- She also won an amazing 44 national titles in Hungary.
- In 1953, she became the first swimmer to hold a world record in the 400-meter individual medley.
Life After Competition
After she stopped competing, Éva Székely became a pharmacist. She also worked as a swimming coach. She even coached her own daughter, Andrea, helping her become an Olympic medalist.
Awards and Recognition
Éva Székely received many honors for her achievements:
- In 1976, she was added to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
- In 2004, she was named one of Hungary's Athletes of the Nation.
- She received the Prima Primissima award in 2011.
- She was also inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Death
Éva Székely passed away on February 29, 2020, in Budapest. She was 92 years old. Her legacy as a strong and talented swimmer continues to inspire many.
See also
In Spanish: Éva Székely para niños
- List of members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame
- List of select Jewish swimmers
