Ľudovít Komadel

Ľudovít Komadel took up swimming in 1942 and by 1945 had broken, albeit unofficially, the world record in the 400 metres breaststroke. He made his international début at the 1947 European Championships and was then selected to represent Czechoslovakia in the 200 metres breaststroke at the 1948 London Games, although he did not start the event. Four years later in Helsinki, however, he reached the final and placed eighth.

Komadel retired shortly thereafter and took up coaching, but also made use of his medical degree by focusing on sports medicine. He was a team doctor with Czechoslovakia’s delegation to the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, and soon made his expertise known worldwide by serving on several international bodies related to sports medicine. Among his many awards in the field, he received the Olympic Order in Silver in 1992 for his contributions.