Géza Varasdi

Starting from 1945 Géza Varasdi was a sprinter with Erzsébeti Magyar Testgyakorlók Köre and from 1946 with Csepeli Vasas. In 1951 and 1956 he won the 100 metre Hungarian title. From 1948-56 he was on the Hungarian national team. At the 1949 World Festival of Youth and Students in Budapest, he finished fifth at 100 metres. He achieved his greatest international success as a member of the 4x100 metre relay team, known as the “lightning bolts”. They were fourth at the 1951 World University Championship in Berlin and bronze medalists at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. In 1954, they were European Champions in Bern and third in the World University Championship in Budapest, but they did not reach the final at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

Varasdi opted not to return to Hungary after the Games, which ended his career, and he later worked in Melbourne as a doctor, having graduated from medical school in his native country. It took him until 1964, however, to re-earn credentials that the Australian government would accept.

Personal Best: 100 – 10.6 (1956).