Istvan DEVAN

István Déván was one of only a few athletes who competed in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games before World War II. In 1912 at Stockholm he reached the semi-finals of the 200 metres and also took part in the 400 and the 4 x 400 relay.

In 1924 at Chamonix Déván was 31st in the 18 km cross-country and also competed in Nordic combined. He became Hungarian Champion in Nordic combined in 1912, in the five-man bob in 1914, and in speed skating in 1922 over 500, 1,500, and 5K. As a track athlete Déván was Hungarian Champion at 440 yards in 1912, and in the 400 and 800 metres in 1915. The all-around sportsman also won the 1926 national motorcycle race over 100 km. From 1945, he lived in Germany under the Germanized name Stefan von Devan and in 1953 published the “Devan Athletics Service,” a worldwide athletics newsletter.

Personal Bests: 200 – 22.3 (1912); 400 – 50.6 (1913).