Born: 1954 (Budapest, Hungary)
Biography:
Andrea Gyarmati was born on April 15, 1954, in Budapest, Hungary, to parents who had an Olympic heritage. Her mother, Eva Szekely, known as Madame Butterfly, overcame the rough treatment as a Jew in the European community during World War II to become the world record holder in the 100m breaststroke and the 1952 Olympic gold medalist. Her father, Dezso Gyarmati, was a three-time water polo Olympic gold medalist and an influential figure in the swimming and water polo world.
Andrea’s introduction to the swimming world began early in her life. At the age of three, she was taught how to swim by her mother’s coach, Imre Sarosi. By the age of four, Andrea was already diving off the 10m diving tower. As her passion for swimming grew, her mother became her coach and introduced her to the butterfly stroke, a stroke she herself pioneered in the 1940s as the over-arm breaststroke.
Andrea Gyarmati’s dedication and talent quickly became evident as she progressed through her swimming career. She competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, participating in a total of eight events. However, it was in 1972 that she truly made her mark on the world stage. At the Olympic Games in Munich, she won a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke and a bronze medal in the 100-meter butterfly. In the semifinals of the 100m butterfly, Gyarmati set a world record, further solidifying her position as one of the top swimmers of her time.
In addition to her Olympic success, Gyarmati also claimed four medals at the 1970 European Championships, including two gold medals. Over the course of her career, she won a staggering 28 Hungarian national championships and set two world records. Her achievements and consistent excellence in the sport earned her the title of Hungarian Sportswoman of The Year from 1970 to 1972.
Despite her remarkable success, Gyarmati made a surprising decision in 1974. She walked out in the middle of a training session, expressing that she had stopped enjoying competition and refused to compete again. Gyarmati chose to follow a different path and pursued a career as a pediatrician, leaving behind a legacy of greatness in the swimming world.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to swimming, Andrea Gyarmati was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1995, joining the ranks of her parents who were also honored in the same prestigious institution.
Andrea Gyarmati’s passion for swimming, shaped by her parents’ Olympic legacies, propelled her to become a standout athlete in her own right. Her incredible achievements, both in the pool and in her subsequent career, have solidified her place in history and serve as an inspiration to aspiring swimmers around the world.
Awards:
– Silver medal, 1972 Olympic Games (100m backstroke)
– Bronze medal, 1972 Olympic Games (100m butterfly)
– World Record, 1972 Olympic Games (100m butterfly)
– Bronze medal, 1973 World Championships (200m backstroke)
– Gold medal, 1970 European Championships (200m backstroke, 100m butterfly)
– Silver medal, 1970 European Championships (100m backstroke, 4x100m medley relay)
– 28 Hungarian National Championships in freestyle, backstroke, and butterfly events