Ede Király
Ede Király was a Hungarian figure skater who competed both in men's singles and pairs. As a competitor in men's singles, he was a three-time World medalist, the [1950 European Figure Skating Championships|European Figure Skating Championships|1950 European champion], and a six-time Hungarian national champion. Competing in pairs with Andrea Kékesy, he became the 1948 Olympic silver medalist, the [1949 World Figure Skating Championships|World Figure Skating Championships|1949 World] champion, and a two-time European champion. In 1950, he defected from Hungary and worked as a coach and engineer in Canada.
Competitive career
Király's international career lasted only three years. It included two years where he had the unusual accomplishment of winning World medals in both men's singles and pairs. He was coached by Arnold Gerschwiler.In 1948, he placed fourth at the European Championships in singles skating and won gold with Kékesy in pairs. In February, at the 1948 Winter Olympics, he placed fifth in singles and won silver in pairs. The week after, at the 1948 World Championships, he and Kékesy won silver again, and he won bronze individually.
The next year, he and Kékesy won a second European title, and he placed second in the men's singles event. At the 1949 World Championships, he won an individual silver, and he and Kékesy became World champions.
Király's last year competing was 1950, where he only skated in men's singles and became the 1950 European champion. At the World Championships, he won a second silver medal.
After the close of the championships, Király was friendly with the Hungarian ambassador, who held a reception for the competitors, but then went to the London Home Office and defected from communist Hungary. Király said that he feared returning to Hungary, as he refused to join the Hungarian Communist Party, and that his passport and other papers were being held by a Hungarian intelligence officer. His family in Hungary, as well as another coach of his, Rudolf Dillinger, were arrested in response. Hungarian figure skaters were also not allowed to compete in the 1951 European and World Championships.