Legendary Czechoslovak discus thrower passes away at 70

Imrich Bugár, the Slovak-born discus thrower and world and European champion, has died at the age of 70, the Dukla Army Sports Center confirmed. Bugár, who competed for Czechoslovakia in the 1980s, passed away, just days before his 71st birthday, marking the loss of a true legend in Czech and Slovak sport, Radio Prague International reports.

At the peak of his career, Bugár won a silver medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, became European champion in Athens in 1982, and captured the world championship in Helsinki in 1983. Reflecting on his unexpected path into the sport, Bugár told Czech Radio: “I was fifteen, I played handball and I could shoot well. One Friday, a teacher put a discus in my hand, said there was a district championship on Sunday, and asked if I wanted to try. So I got on my bike and went to Dunajská Streda. Everyone threw with a spin, I only threw from a standing position.”

Despite lacking formal technique, his talent was evident. “In my first attempt I swung my arm, threw 31.14 meters and won,” he recalled.

Bugár later moved to Bratislava and trained under former pole vaulter Vladimír Hurtoň. In 1974, he joined Dukla Prague, remaining with the club throughout his life. His personal best of 71.26 meters, set in 1985, helped him earn six Czechoslovak Athlete of the Year titles and one overall Athlete of the Year award. He broke the national discus record six times and claimed 15 national championships.

After retiring in September 1995, Bugár received the Olympic Order from IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch. He remained active in sport, serving as Vice-Chairman for Sport of the Czech Olympians Club since 2012, and last December received the Emil Zátopek Award alongside shot putter Helena Fibingerová.

Bugár’s extraordinary achievements and lifelong dedication to athletics ensure his legacy will endure in the world of sport.

By Vafa Guliyeva