Ondrej Nepela

Born January 22nd, 1951 in Bratislava. Studied at the Law Faculty. Began skating as a seven-year old and quickly caught the trainer's eye of Hilda Mudra. She led him from victory to victory, culminating in the 1972 Olympic gold. His international debut, however, was a silver in the 1969 World Championships and European gold. All told, he took 14 ISU medals, won 8 Czechoslovak golds and was the 1970 University World champion. Although he wished to retire after taking European, World and Olympic gold (the only Slovak to do so) in 1972, he agreed to compete in the Bratislava Worlds in 1973 and took his final gold medal.

Nepela was an ideal type for figure skating, combining explosive double and triple jumps with the calm to perform compulsory figures. He continued as a soloist for 13 years with Holiday on Ice as well as completing his trainer's credentials and accepting a post in Germany. There he coached Claudia Leistner to her European Championship gold in 1989, the year he died. Ondrej Nepela has been voted the best Slovak athlete of the 20th century.

All praise to your memory Ondrej, Slovakia thanks you.