Tears freeze before they hit the ground. Here at the Elhunyt magyar olimpiai bajnokok emlékére, we remember those Hungarian Olympic champions who are no longer with us. This memorial stands as a tribute to their achievements and sacrifices. It is located in the Farkasréti Cemetery. The memorial marks the unknown resting place of these athletes.
The Elhunyt magyar olimpiai bajnokok emlékére is a place for reflection. We honor the legacy of those who represented Hungary on the world stage. Their stories inspire future generations of athletes.
Let’s talk about Attila Petschauer. He was a two-time Olympic champion in fencing. Sadly, he died at a young age in a Soviet labor camp in present-day Ukraine. A memorial event was held at the Elhunyt magyar olimpiai bajnokok emlékére to mark the 75th anniversary of his death.
Lídia Sákovicsné Dömölky, another Olympic champion in fencing, spoke at the event. She shared the difficulty of expressing the pain and bitterness felt on the anniversary of Petschauer’s death. She chose to also remember his short but successful career as an Olympic fencer.
Petschauer’s talent was discovered by Italo Santelli. Santelli taught him for free from the age of seventeen. Santelli recognized his potential. He told the young Petschauer that he would become a great champion if he practiced with him.
By twenty, Petschauer was among the best Hungarian fencers. He remained a playful and easygoing competitor. His signature moves were known for their unmatched speed. Despite his extraordinary talent, his achievements do not fully reflect his abilities. Old records say the sword sang in his hand.
At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, he won all twenty of his bouts against five nations. His contribution was crucial to his team regaining the championship title. In the individual competition, he won a silver medal after a tie with his friend Ödön Tersztyánszky. He also won another Olympic gold medal with the team in 1932 in Los Angeles.
His personal life was unique. He was friends with Dezső Szomory, Gyula Csortos, and Frigyes Karinthy. He loved life and enjoyed his popularity. Though he tried his luck in America, he soon returned. He struggled with making a living, working as a merchant, bank clerk, journalist, and actor.
The rise of Hitler and the threat of war worried him. In 1940, he wrote in his diary about the evil of people. He tried to distract himself with clowning. When he received his call-up papers for labor service, he dressed impeccably. He wore his decorations, believing he was exempt.
But he never returned home. Despite efforts to save him, he died at 39 in a German labor camp in Ukraine in January 1943. He was humiliated and broken.
The Elhunyt magyar olimpiai bajnokok emlékére serves as a reminder. It honors not only Petschauer but all the fallen Hungarian Olympic champions. Their memories live on. They continue to inspire us all.