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Hungarians in the Olympics
1896, Athens

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Highlights

Hajos Alfred Wins First Olympic Swimming Gold Medal
 Speedwalkers take Silver and Bronze

Hajos Alfred (1878-1955), 100m freestyle swimming /gyorsuszas
Hajos Alfred (1878-1955), 1200m freestyle swimming /gyorsuszas

  • Won silver in 1924 for Architecture (He did not receive the Gold medal because the French did not want to award it to a non-Frenchman.)
  • European swimming champion
  • Hungarian track and discus champion
  • In 1930, Hajos created the Margaret Island National Sports Hall in Budapest

See all 1896 medalists (in Hungarian) 

Featured Olympian, Alfed Hajos:
 (b. 2/1/1878, Budapest d. 11/12/1955)

Dubbed the "Hungarian Dolphin" by the admiring Greeks.. Hajos was the first-ever Olympic swimming champion, and the first Hungarian Olympic gold medalist. He won his medals in the 100-meter freestyle (1:22.2), and the 1200-meter freestyle (18:22.2). Alfred Hajos (born Guttmann) was 13 years old when he felt compelled to become a good swimmer after his father drowned in the Danube River. At the 1896 Games, the swimming events were held in the Mediterranean Sea battling the elements. The 18-year old Hajos won his two gold medals in extremely cold weather (the water temperature was about 50 degrees) with 12-foot waves crashing down on him. Before the 1200-meter race, he smeared his body with a half-inch thick layer of grease, but it proved to be of little protection. He confessed after winning the race that, "my will to live completely overcame my desire to win." While at a dinner honoring Olympic winners, the King of Greece asked Alfred where he had learned to swim so well. Hajos replied: "In the water." 

- See more photos at  International Olympic Committee Heroes

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