György Kolonics facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
György Kolonics

Kolonics on a 2016 stamp of Hungary
Personal information
Born	4 June 1972 Budapest, Hungary
Died	15 July 2008 (aged 36) Budapest, Hungary
Height	180 cm
Weight	80 kg
Sport
Sport	Canoe sprint
Club	Budapesti Spartacus Csepel SC, Budapest
Medal record Men's canoe sprint Representing  Hungary Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 2 0 2 World Championships 15 9 4 European Championships 3 7 2 Representing  Hungary Olympic Games Gold 1996 Atlanta C-2 500 m Bronze 1996 Atlanta C-2 1000 m Gold 2000 Sydney C-1 500 m Bronze 2004 Athens C-2 1000 m World Championships Gold 1993 Copenhagen C-2 500 m Gold 1993 Copenhagen C-4 1000 m Silver 1993 Copenhagen C-1 500 m Gold 1994 Mexico City C-4 1000 m Silver 1994 Mexico City C-2 200 m Silver 1994 Mexico City C-2 500 m Silver 1994 Mexico City C-4 200 m Gold 1995 Duisburg C-2 200 m Gold 1995 Duisburg C-2 500 m Gold 1995 Duisburg C-2 1000 m Gold 1995 Duisburg C-4 200 m Gold 1995 Duisburg C-4 500 m Gold 1997 Dartmouth C-2 500 m Gold 1997 Dartmouth C-4 500 m Silver 1997 Dartmouth C-2 1000 m Silver 1997 Dartmouth C-4 200 m Gold 1998 Szeged C-2 500 m Gold 1998 Szeged C-4 500 m Silver 2001 Poznań C-1 500 m Bronze 2001 Poznań C-1 1000 m Silver 2002 Seville C-1 500 m Gold 2003 Gainesville C-4 200 m Bronze 2003 Gainesville C-2 1000 m Silver 2005 Zagreb C-2 500 m Bronze 2005 Zagreb C-2 1000 m Gold 2006 Szeged C-2 1000 m Bronze 2006 Szeged C-2 500 m Gold 2007 Duisburg C-2 500 m

György "Kolo" Kolonics was a famous Hungarian sprint canoeist. He was born on June 4, 1972, and sadly passed away on July 15, 2008. Kolo was an amazing athlete. He won two gold medals and two bronze medals at four different Summer Olympics. He also set a record by winning fifteen gold medals at the World Championships for canoe sprint. He passed away suddenly while getting ready for his fifth Olympic Games.

Who Was György Kolonics?

György Kolonics, known as "Kolo," was a Hungarian athlete. He became one of the most successful sprint canoeists in history. He started his canoeing journey at the Budapesti Spartacus club. Soon after, he moved to Csepel SC. He stayed with this club for his entire career.

His Amazing Canoe Career

Kolo first represented Hungary at the World Championships in 1991. He placed fifth and sixth in the C-4 events. At the 1992 Summer Olympics, he competed in C-2 events. He finished fifth and seventh with his partner, Attila Pálizs.

After the 1992 Olympics, Kolo teamed up with Csaba Horváth. This duo became very strong in doubles canoeing. They won their first gold medal together at the 1993 World Championships.

Dominating the World Stage

In 1995, Kolo and Csaba had an incredible year. They won a record five gold medals at the World Championships. Their teamwork led them to victory at the 1996 Summer Olympics. They won gold in the C-2 500 meter race in a very close finish. They also earned a bronze medal in the C-2 1000 meter race.

Together, Kolo and Csaba won a total of 11 World Championships gold medals. These wins were in both C-2 and C-4 events. From 1993 to 1998, they almost always won the C-2 500 meter gold. They were truly a dominant team.

Solo Success and New Partnerships

When Csaba Horváth retired in 1998, Kolo decided to focus on single canoe events. At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, he achieved a huge goal. He won the gold medal in the C-1 500 meter race.

After his solo success, Kolo returned to doubles canoeing. He partnered with a younger athlete, György Kozmann. This new pair also found great success. They won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the C-2 1000 meter event.

More World Championship Wins

Kolo and György Kozmann continued to win. They earned gold medals at the 2006 World Championships. They also won gold at the 2007 World Championships in the C-2 500 meter race.

They were planning to compete in both C-2 500 meter and C-2 1000 meter events at the 2008 Summer Olympics. This would have been Kolo's fifth Olympic Games. He was even considered to carry the Hungarian flag at the opening ceremony. This honor later went to kayaker Zoltán Kammerer.

A Sad Farewell

György Kolonics passed away on July 15, 2008, in Budapest. He lost consciousness during a training session. Paramedics tried their best, but they could not revive him. He passed away due to a heart problem.

His passing was a shock to the sports world. There was a discussion about whether Hungary should still compete in the C-2 events at the 2008 Olympics. Some, including world champion canoeist Attila Vajda, suggested not filling his spot.

Continuing the Legacy

György Kozmann, Kolo's partner, initially did not want to compete. However, after talking with his coach and friends, he changed his mind. He competed in the C-2 1000 meter race with Tamás Kiss. They won a bronze medal, honoring Kolo's memory. The C-2 500 meter spot went to brothers Mihály and Mátyás Sáfrán. During the 2008 games, Attila Vajda wore a black armband. This was a tribute to his friend, György Kolonics.

Awards and Honors

György Kolonics received many awards for his amazing career:

• Hungarian Canoer of the Year: 10 times (1993, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006)
• Member of the Hungarian team of year (with Csaba Horváth): 1995, 1996
• Honorary Citizen of Csepel (1996)
• Perpetual champion of Csepel SC (1997)
• Best male Athlete of Csepel SC (1997)
• Honorary Citizen of Budafok-Tétény (2000)
• Perpetual champion of Hungarian Kayak-Canoe (2008)

Special Awards

• 

  Ribbon for the Officer's Cross
  Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Officer's Cross (1996)
• 

  Ribbon for the Commander's Cross
  Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary – Commander's Cross (2000)