ACOG - News - IBM

(31 July 1996; Day 12)

KOBAN Reigns in Women's Sprint Events

While most Olympic events are dominated by primed young adults, trained with eagerness to start their own quest to be the "best of the best," the sprint canoe/kayak events are often times, controlled by the older, more experienced athlete. At the age of 31, Rita KOBAN of Hungary is experienced ­ experienced at being the "best of the best."

A six-time world champion, KOBAN is in her prime, stronger than ever, and in the hunt for her fifth Olympic medal at Lake Lanier. During Wednesday's preliminary races, she advanced two boats to the semifinals for Hungary; the women's kayak single 500m and the kayak double 500m with partner Szilvia MEDNYANSZKI. She is now two steps closer to achieving an unprecedented performance in the women's sprint events.

In 1988, KOBAN took the silver medal in the kayak four 500m event and four years later, bettered that performance with a gold medal in Barcelona. KOBAN also earned a silver medal in the kayak single 500m in 1992 as well as a bronze in the kayak two 500m. And while KOBAN hangs up her paddles in the kayak four 500m event at these Olympic Games, she is in search of gold in the K1 500m and K2 500m events.

KOBAN, one of only six women on the Hungarian Olympic team, has set the stage for another showering of medals, and while most athletes would feel threatened by younger Olympians coming through the ranks, KOBAN feels better than ever.

"I am much stronger than I was last year," said KOBAN. "Before the Olympics you have to work really hard and I have. I am ready."

The Hungarian, however, admits that her training has changed in the past few years. "I am older, and you have to except changes to happen. I used to just train with the men, but now I am training more with women. The women are getting faster."

Koban prevailed at the 1995 World Championships in Duisburg by nearly two seconds over Canada's Caroline BRUNET. BRUNET will be one of KOBAN's strongest competitors this week in kayak single 500m. Other paddlers out to dethrone KOBAN in the single event are Birgit FISCHER of Germany and Susanne GUNNARSSON of Sweden. FISCHER, 34, is the defending Olympic gold medalist in the K1 500m, and GUNNARSSON, 32, was silver medalist in the K2 500m in 1992. The women are two more testaments to "the older the better" mentality in sprint events.

KOBAN is aware of the looming challengers in her events and does not feel that previous championships and finishes preview what is to come in Olympic competition.

"It is a new year," said KOBAN. "Everyone starts equal and you have to expect everyone to do their best."

KOBAN hopes her best will take her to the top once again.

"If I do my job the best I can, I will be successful," said KOBAN. "I hope to medal, and if my best is enough for first, then that is good. If my best is only for fourth, then that is O.K. too."

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by M. Lynne Bragg.


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An estimated 5.3 million visted Centennial Olympic Park between opening day - 13 July - and closing day - 4 August, making the park the most single most visited Olympic site during the Games.