Farewell to a Legend
Ágnes Keleti, the most decorated Jewish gymnast in history, passed away at 103. Her Legacy of Triumph, Resilience, and Groundbreaking Achievements will continue to inspire generations to come.
- 26 January, 2025
Born in Hungary in 1921, Ágnes survived the horrors of the Holocaust by adopting a false identity, escaping Nazi persecution while most of her family perished. After the war, she returned to gymnastics and embarked on a legendary career, winning 10 Olympic medals—5 of them gold—at the Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956 Games.
Her connection to Israel began in 1957 when she was invited to the Maccabiah Games. Reflecting on her visit, Ágnes once said, “I brought gymnastic equipment with me to Israel—they didn’t even know what gymnastics was back then.” This marked the beginning of her transformative role in shaping gymnastics in Israel. As a coach and mentor, she laid the foundation for generations of Israeli gymnasts, earning her the title “Mother of Israeli Gymnastics".
In 2017, Ágnes was honored with the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement, a tribute to her extraordinary contributions to sports and culture.
Ágnes remained an integral part of the Maccabi family throughout her life, embodying the spirit of perseverance, community, and excellence that defines our movement. Her remarkable story of survival and excellence is proudly displayed in the World Jewish Sports Museum in Kfar Maccabiah, continuing to inspire visitors from around the globe. May her memory be a blessing.
Photo credit: Bia Bar Kalosh | Maccabiah Archives
