Ilona Elek, one of history’s greatest foilswomen
Reading about Ilona Elek and her remarkable journey in the Olympics prodded me to feature her here at Light the Torch. A female Olympian that was able to win two Olympic golds and one silver. But that was not the thing that created an impression on me. It was the fact that achieved these things even when it seemed a bit difficult because of her age and that she had to go through war in between.
She first competed during the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany in the women’s individual foil event. It was also her first gold, making her the first Hungarian woman to win an Olympic gold.
Then came the war that halted or postponed the Games. So, it was only after 12 years did she compete again and during the 1948 London Games, Elek was able to retain her title (yes, winning another gold). This also gave her the title of being the first woman to win two Olympic gold medals in the individual foils event.
During the next Games, Helsinki 1952, 45 year-old Elek competed once again. She didn’t win the gold but she did manage to take home the silver medal and another title for being the oldest Olympic fencing medalist in history.
Now, tell me, Ilona Elek’s Olympic efforts are remarkable, right? For me, she’s a true Olympian.
Tags: Berlin 1936, Fencing, Helsinki 1952, London 1948, Olympians, Olympics
0 opinions for Ilona Elek, one of history’s greatest foilswomen
No one has left a comment yet. You know what this means, right? You could be first!
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: