Olivér Halassy

Olivér Halassy

Olivér Halassy at the 1931 European Championships
Personal information
Full name	Olivér Halassy-Haltmayer
Born	31 July 1909 Újpest, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Died	10 September 1946 (aged 37) Budapest, Hungary
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Freestyle
Club	Újpesti Torna Egylet
Medal record Representing  Hungary Water polo Olympic Games 1932 Los Angeles Team competition 1936 Berlin Team competition 1928 Amsterdam Team competition Swimming European Championships 1931 Paris 1500 m freestyle

Olivér Halassy^[1] (31 July 1909 – 10 September 1946) was a Hungarian water polo player and freestyle swimmer who competed in the 1928, 1932 and 1936 Summer Olympics.

Halassy lost his left foot after a childhood accident at the age of eight, and later became the first amputee swimmer to compete in the Olympics. He was a member of the Hungarian water polo teams that won one silver and two gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. He played all matches and scored three, eleven, and six goals, respectively.^[2]

Halassy won three European water polo titles, in 1931, 1934, and 1938. He also became European champion in 1500 metres freestyle swimming in 1931, just hours after he helped his water polo team to victory. Nationally he won 25 swimming titles and set 12 records.^[2]

Halassy was married and had three children. After retiring from competitions he worked as an auditor in his City Hall. He was killed by a Soviet soldier after a robbery near his home in Budapest.^[3] In 1978 he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.^[4]

References

1. He is also known as Oliver von Halassy or as Oliver Haltmayer
2. Olivér Halassy. sports-reference.com
3. Wallechinsky, David (2004). The Complete Book of the Summer Olympics, Toronto: Sport Classic Books. ISBN 1-894963-34-2
4. Olivér Halassy. ishof.org

External links

• "Olivér Halassy Olympic medals and stats". databaseOlympics.com.
• profil (Hungarian)