Zoltán Speidl

Zoltán Speidl, who competed for BEAC Budapest, was one of the most versatile track athletes in Hungary in the early 1900s. At the 1900 Summer Olympics, he was fifth in the 800 m, but also competed in the 400 m and 200 hurdle disciplines. In 1897, he won a bronze medal in the 100 yds at the Hungarian National Championship, and in 1901 he won the national title at 440 yds. Between 1900 and 1902, he was a three-time Austrian champion in the 1,000 metres.

During his university years studying law, Speidl was secretary-general of BEAC, the captain of the football team, and a football referee. Completing his studies, he joined MÚE Budapest and worked as a lawyer for the Hungarian Railway as well as a sports journalist, serving as editor-in-chief of the newspaper Sportvilág from 1901-05. After a long illness, he passed away at the relatively young age of 37.

Personal Bests: 400 – 53.1y (1899); 800 – 2:01.1e (1900).