BUDAPEST, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Agnes Keleti, a five-time Olympic champion and Hungary's most decorated female Olympian, was laid to rest here on Thursday, on what would have been her 104th birthday.
The burial ceremony, held in Budapest's Kozma Street Jewish Cemetery, followed traditional Jewish customs. Keleti, who passed away on January 2 at the age of 103, was celebrated as an extraordinary athlete and a symbol of resilience and perseverance.
Born in Budapest on January 9, 1921, Keleti overcame the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, surviving under a false identity.
Her Olympic journey began in 1952 in Helsinki, where she won her first gold medal in the floor exercise at age 31, defying expectations in a sport dominated by younger athletes.
She achieved her greatest success at the 1956 Melbourne Games, winning four golds and two silvers, cementing her legacy as one of the most accomplished gymnasts in history.
Speaking at the funeral, Hungarian Olympic Committee president Zsolt Gyulay reflected on Keleti's impact. "We planned to celebrate her birthday today, but instead we bid farewell to an exceptional athlete and a wonderful person. With her timeless wisdom and unparalleled achievements, she taught generations the value of perseverance and determination," he said.
Hungary's Minister of Defense, Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky, echoed these sentiments: "Her life and memory teach us that no matter what fate brings, there is always a reason to fight. Her passing is a tremendous loss not only for Hungary but for the entire world." ■
