The two-time Olympic champion, 15-time world champion and three-time European champion canoeist, who also won two Olympic bronze medals, achieved his great successes in Csepel’s colours. His talent for sport and his sense of humour made him one of the greats from a young age. The world-renowned athlete died in his canoe during training on 15 July 2008, just three weeks shy of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was only 36 years old when dilated cardiomyopathy claimed his life.
As all his fans knew him…
Kolonics has been commemorated by numerous awards, competitions, facilities and events. The decision that the walkway along the bank of the Kis-Duna would bear his name was made in May 2017. A street sign and a bronze statue of György Kolonics were unveiled in the presence of family members and fellow athletes on what would have been the sporting legend’s 45th birthday. The statue, which depicts the canoeing star as all sports-loving people knew him, with a paddle in his hand, was created by Tibor Sárossy. Some of the artist’s other works, including a Trianon memorial, are also located in Csepel.