50 greatest Summer Olympians in history
By John Buhler
31. Agnes Keleti, Gymnastics.
Gymnast and Budapest native Agnes Keleti had an oddly late start to her sterling Olympics career. Considered a top talent as early as 1940, World War II — coupled with an injury in 1948 — took many of Keleti’s prime years, and it wasn’t until 1952, at the age of 31, that she was finally able to make good on her promising prospects.
Despite the late career start, Keleti managed to medal 10 times between the 1952 Helsinki Games and the 1956 Melbourne Games, retiring from competitive gymnastics in 1957 as a five-time gold medalist, a three-time silver medalist, and a two-time bronze medalist.
Keleti’s best showing came in 1956, when Keleti won four gold medals (uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise, team [portable]) and two silver medals (all-around and team). She would also capture Olympic gold in floor exercise in 1952.
Keleti was able to put together one of the finest Olympic careers of any athlete, despite Eastern European political turmoil and prejudice of being Jewish. In 1957, Keleti emigrated to Israel, has helped coach gymnastics, and has been there ever since.
Next: 30. Michael Johnson.