István Simon

István Simon started athletics in the colors of Magyar Testgyakorlók Köre (MTK) at the age of 15. He achieved his first great success in 1931, when he won the youth cross-country championship. In 1934 he moved to BSZKRT (Budapest Public Transportation Company), where he won the Hungarian cross-country title in 1935. In 1936 and 1938 he won the 5,000 metre national championship, and in 1936 also became the team champion in the 5,000 and broke the national record at that distance. Between 1932 and 1938 he appeared eight times with the Hungarian national team. He took part in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, where he was eliminated during the heats of the 5,000. Simon ended his sports career in 1940. His civil occupation was as an official at BSZKRT. His son Attila Simon was also an athlete and competed at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics.

Personal Best: 5000 – 14:49.4 (1936).