Leon Å tukelj

Leon Štukelj ( born November 12, 1898 in Novo mesto, Austria - Hungary, † 8 November 1999 in Maribor, Slovenia) was a Yugoslav gymnast.

Was Štukelj after the First World War, citizens of the new state of Yugoslavia. For over 15 years he was one of the world leaders in artistic gymnastics. His breakthrough, he scored at the World Championships in 1922 in Ljubljana. He won 20 medals, including eight gold and six silver and bronze at seven major international competitions. At the Olympic Games in Paris in 1924, he won two gold medals at the Games in Amsterdam in 1928 was followed by a gold and two bronze medals, and at end of his career at the 1936 Games in Berlin, he won a silver medal again.

1927 ended Leon Štukelj his studies in law. After the end of his career he worked as a judge in his home town of Novo mesto. He later moved to Lenart and then in the neighboring city of Maribor, where he remained until his death.

During the 1990s, Leon Štukelj was the oldest living Olympic champion and was a welcome guest at Sports Events and in sports. Also at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, he was guest of honor and was greeted by U.S. President Bill Clinton. 1997 Leon Štukelj was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

His 100th birthday was celebrated in his home with a large celebration. Until shortly before his death a few days before his 101st birthday Štukelj be kept physically active. The gymnasium of his native city of Novo mesto, which is used mainly by the local basketball team, now bears his name.