Beijing 2008 - Olympic champion dies

Eurosport - Sat, 16 Aug 04:46:00 2008

Hungary's two-time Olympic canoe champion Gyorgy Kolonics has died during a practice session for the Beijing Games, most likely due to heart failure.

KOLONICS Gyorgy - 0

Kolonics, 36, who won Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2000 and bronze medals in 1996 and 2004, fell unconscious and could not be resuscitated, Etele Barath, the federation's president told state news agency MTI.

"There's not a whole lot anybody can say for now, everybody who was there is in shock and can't really tell us what happened," Gabor Ganczer, a spokesman for the federation said.

Kolonics was set to compete in Beijing, his fifth Olympics, in the 500 metres and 1,000 metres double events with Gyorgy Kozmann.

In an international career spanning over 16 years, Kolonics won 15 world championship titles. He rose to national prominence in Hungary after taking the 500 metre doubles title in Atlanta with team-mate Csaba Horvath.

Reuters

Comment 1 - 18 of 18

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  1. After that terrible death, his canoe partner - after 1,5 month practice with a new, 21 years old partner - THEY WON BRONZE MEDAL ON 1000M !

    WHAT A PERFORMANCE !!
    They were helped by Kolo from the heaven !

    Isten nyugosztaljon, Kolo !! Hatalmas sportember és példakép voltál / maradsz !

    From gabriel8, on Fri 22 Aug 2:45PM

  2. Hello! I am an hungarian girl. We love you KOLO! You will be the best forever! Thank you! We never forgot you! Remélem hogy emlékedre és sok magyar örömére a többiek hozzák haza az aranyakat az ezüstöket és a bronzokat, ahogy te is tetted volna!

    From magyarnebanyaikrisztina, on Fri 22 Aug 12:56PM

  3. God bless You, please look at us from the heaven ...and your partner canoing tomorrow...!!!! We hope such kind of event will never repeat. We love you KOLO!!!!! We will not forget you!

    From katilorinczuk, on Thu 21 Aug 3:08PM

  4. R.I.P!!!
    Never 4Get U :(

    From cecililboss, on Sat 16 Aug 5:18AM

  5. A reminder to all of us that we all will die, fi or not, rich or nor..

    From brainless, on Wed 13 Aug 10:18PM

  6. this is so sad,he will be missed.
    the sport has lost a greatness.

    From Zolti74, on Wed 13 Aug 7:02PM

  7. Very Sorry Kolo you had your Nation at heart. Good bye

    From kemi_akinronbi, on Tue 12 Aug 5:00PM

  8. What a terrible shame. My thoughts are with family at this time which should have been such a joy. I believe his spirit will be with the team and I hope they can spured on by the positive attitude he had in life.

    From Kay, on Sat 9 Aug 1:29PM

  9. What a terrible shame. He has worked so hard for so long. I feel for his family and his team. I'm sure his spirit will watch the games and he will be beside them to spur them on in their hearts.

    From Kay, on Sat 9 Aug 1:24PM

  10. What a tragic loss. My heartfelt wishes to family, team and friends.

    From kmrmiami, on Sat 9 Aug 4:13AM

  11. We will never forger you KOLO. Emléked sosem feledjük, nekünk te maradsz a világ legnagyobb sportolója.!!!

    From zsembes75, on Fri 8 Aug 9:04PM

  12. The best of the best athlete forever :KOLO!!!!!
    Isten nyugtasson.

    From kepeknek2003, on Tue 22 Jul 7:47AM

  13. 'll miss you KOLO

    From szoszos19, on Wed 16 Jul 1:50PM

  14. 'll miss you KOLO

    From szoszos19, on Wed 16 Jul 1:49PM

  15. He was the greatest. R.I.P.

    From varga_jzsef, on Tue 15 Jul 7:32PM

  16. R.I.P Kolo ! :(

    From Arpi P, on Tue 15 Jul 2:29PM

  17. My deepest condolence to his family, friends and to the Hungarian Canoeing for so terrible loss. God bless you Gyorgy Kolonics. Carlos-M. Prendes

    From carlosmprendes1, on Tue 15 Jul 1:30PM

  18. Kolo was one of the best guys in canoe sport! He always will stay in our hearts. We love you Kolo and won't forget you!

    From Martin M, on Tue 15 Jul 12:46PM
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