Ödön Földessy

Ödön Földessy started his sporting career as a high jumper. He won his first national title in this discipline in 1948, when he was a member of the Ujpest club. In 1950, on the advice of his coach, he switched to long jump. The change was even more successful than expected and he joined the Hungarian national team that year. In 1951 he won the World College Championships, and in 1952 was given the opportunity to compete at the Olympics in Helsinki, where he won the bronze medal.

The period between 1952-54 was the most successful of Földessy’s career. He remained unbeaten in Europe for three years. During this time, he won another World College title in Budapest, and the European title in Bern, when he jumped his personal best 7.76. In addition to long and high jumps, he also competed in short distances, and was twice a member of the Újpest 4x100 metres national championship-winning squad. After 1955, Földessy’s career was repeatedly hampered by illness. Nevertheless, he still competed at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and remained a member of the national team until 1960, but could no longer reach the standards of his former performances.

As a civilian, Földessy worked in the field of law enforcement. He graduated from a police academy and then worked as a lieutenant-colonel in the Budapest Traffic Police Department. In 1965, he also graduated as a teacher at the College of Physical Education.

Personal Best: LJ – 7.76 (1953).