Anti-vax Olympic gold medalist Szilveszter Csollany dies of Covid, aged 51

Szilveszter Csollany won gold on the rings at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games

Sports Staff
Wednesday 26 January 2022 07:24 EST
Comments
Anti-vax Olympic gold medalist Szilveszter Csollany dies of Covid, aged 51

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Hungarian Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast has died at the age of 51 from Covid-19.

Szilveszter Csollany won gold on the rings at Sydney 2000, improving a silver medal finish achieved in Atlanta at the previous Olympic Games.

Budapest newspaper Blikk has reported that Csollany fell ill in December and was put on a ventilator in hospital, before passing away on 24 January.

While Csollany had, according to the publication, expressed anti-vaccination views on social media, the six-time World Championship medallist had been vaccinated to allow him to continue to work as a gymnastics coach.

However, he contracted the virus soon after receiving his jab, Blikk suggested, and had thus not built sufficient levels of antibodies.

“It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the death of Szilveszter Csollany,” the Hungarian Olympic Committee confirmed.

Csollany was twice named Hungarian Sportsman of the Year (2000 and 2002).

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in