Gedeon Ladányi

Gedeon Ladányi (born as Lindner) came from a sports family. His father, Ernő Lindner, was one of the pioneers of Hungarian sports. He played together with Alfréd Hajós in BTC’s pioneering soccer team, and later worked as a technician in the MAFC and “33” FC teams. In swimming he competed together with Zoltán Halmay and Géza Kiss.

Lindner began his sports career in high school and then competed for BEAC during his university years. As a sprinter, he won national junior championships, national youth championships, and Budapest youth championships. At the same time, he also practiced speed skating, winning KISOK championships in this sport as well (1930-32). During his sports career in speed skating, medals were awarded only in the combined event at the national championships, with Ladányi winning gold medals in 1939, 1940 and 1942. He also finished second and third three more times, and achieved countless records during his career.

At the international level, in 1933 he finished first in the 500 and 1500m at the World College Championships in Bardonecchia. Already in 1936, he had a chance to participate at the Winter Olympics, but in the end he only made it to the World Championships in Davos, where he finished 21st in the all-around competition. The following year, at the World College Championships in Zell am See, he finished fourth in the 500m, fifth in the 1500m, and sixth in the 3000m. In 1938 he finished 14th overall at the World Championships in Davos. After the Second World War, well over thirty years old, he participated at the 1948 St. Moritz Olympics, where he finished 35th in the 5000m, and 39th in the 1500m. His last world competition was the 1949 World Championships in Oslo.

He started cycling in 1938, first on the track, and later on the road. In the first year he finished second in the Hungarian flying championship. In 1939 he won the Hungarian championship in the tandem event. In 1940 he finished third in the 100 km road championship.

Personal Bests: 500 – 45.3 (1936); 1500 – 2:21.6 (1939); 5000 – 8:48.4 (1938); 10000 – 17:48.6 (1938).