Miklós Szabó

Miklós Szabó did not take up athletics until the age of 22, but within two years was a member of the Hungarian national team for long distance running. He competed in several international tournaments prior to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, but got closest to the podium at those Games when he was fourth in the 5,000 metres. He was also entered into the 10,000 metres, but did not start. A year later, he led the 5000 meters world rankings with 13:51.8 minutes, when he finished first, beating the current world record holder Pyotr Bolotnikov in Moscow.

He also competed in that event at the 1958 European Championships, where he was 10th, and the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he was eliminated in round one. His final major international competition was the 1962 European Championships, where he was 22nd in the 10,000 metres. Domestically, Szabó won six individual and seven team championships in track and cross-country running.

In 1963 Szabó finished his active sports career. In 1952, he had obtained a doctorate in law, in 1968 he received an athletic trainer’s certificate, and in 1975 he received the title of master trainer. After his retirement, he worked as an accountant between 1952-57 and then was the financial manager of MAFC (1957-63). From 1963 onwards, he worked for the Hungarian Athletic Federation as a supervisor, and finally the head coach of the youth national team. In 1981, he joined MTK, where he was head of the sports department until his retirement, but even after that he worked as a professional consultant.

Personal Best: 5000 – 13.51.8 (1957).