GAJDOŠ A.: SHORT HISTORICAL NOTES XXIX                                                                          Vol. 16 Issue 1: 150-154 
Science of Gymnastics Journal                           150                                 Science of Gymnastics Journal 
SHORT HISTORICAL NOTES XXIX 
 Anton Gajdoš, Bratislava, Slovakia 
                                     Ivan Čuk, Ljubljana, Slovenia 
 
 
Ph.D. Anton Gajdoš born on 1.6.1940 in Dubriniči (today Ukraine) 
lives most of his life in Bratislava (ex TCH, nowadays SVK). He 
comes from gymnastics family (his brother Pavel have world 
championship medals) and he devoted his life to gymnastics. His 
last achievement is establishment of Narodna encyklopedia športu 
Slovenska (www.sportency.sk). Among his passion is collecting 
photos and signatures of gymnasts. As we tend to forget old 
champions and important gymnasts, judges and coaches, we 
decided to publish part of his archive under title Short historical 
notes. All information on these pages is from Anton’s archives and 
collected through years.  
 
 
 
 
12th World Championship 1950 in Basel 
 
The first World Championship (WC) in gymnastics after WWII was held in Basel 
(Switzerland) in 1950. Switzerland was determined as WC organizer already for year 1942, 
but war begun and all competitions were canceled. After the WWII it took quite a lot of time 
to start activities again, so it took 12 years from Prague in 1938 to Basel 1950.  
 
What was so exceptional with this world championship? 
 
The Basel WC was the last championship where other activities, disciplines besides artistic 
gymnastics were involved.  
 
On the first day of competition at stadium, where 20.000 spectators were present, track and 
field disciplines were held for men: 
-  pole jump, 300 cm of height for 10 points, 
- high jump, 160 cm of height for 10 points 
- 100 m run, 12.2 s for 10 points. 
 
 
 
 
 
Photo on right: Esa Seeste (FIN) was excellent in track and 
field disciplines 
 
 
 
 
 
GAJDOŠ A.: SHORT HISTORICAL NOTES XXIX                                                                          Vol. 16 Issue 1: 150-154 
Science of Gymnastics Journal                           151                                 Science of Gymnastics Journal 
Gymnasts next day competed in compulsory exercises on apparatus on free exercise, pommel 
horse, rings, vault, parallel bars and horizontal bar and on the third day on same apparatus in 
optional exercises. 
 
 
MEN RESULTS 
 
Teams (all disciplines included): 
1. Switzerland 852.25  
2. Finland  
3. France 
4. Italy 
5. Yougoslavia 
6. Egypt 
 
All around (all disciplines included) 
1. Lehmann (SUI) 
2. Adatte (SUI) 
3. Rove (FIN) 
 
Free exercice: 
1. Gebedinger, Stalder (both SUI) 
2. Dot (FRA) 
3. Rove, Lampinen (FIN) 
 
Pommel horse: 
1. Stalder (SUI) 
2. Adatte (SUI) 
3. Lehmann (SUI) 
 
Rings: 
1. Lehmann (SUI) 
2. Rove (FIN) 
3. Eugster (SUI) 
 
Vault:  
1. Gebedinger (SUI) 
2. Rove (FIN) 
3. Lehmann (SUI) 
 
Parallel bars: 
1. Eugster (SUI) 
2. Rove (FIN) 
3. Dot (FRA) 
 
Horizontal bar: 
1. Aaltonen (FIN) 
2. Stalder, Lehman (both SUI) 
 
 
GAJDOŠ A.: SHORT HISTORICAL NOTES XXIX                                                                          Vol. 16 Issue 1: 150-154 
Science of Gymnastics Journal                           152                                 Science of Gymnastics Journal 
 
The best gymnast in Basel Walther Lehmann (SUI) 
 
 
 
WOMEN RESULTS 
 
Women had compulsory and optional exercise on beam, vault, free exercise, uneven bars or 
swinging rings and group free exercise. 
 
Teams 
1. Sweden 
2. France 
3. Italy 
4. Yougoslavia 
5. Poland 
6. Austria 
7. Belgium 
 
All around: 
1. Rakoczy (POL) 
2. Petersson (SWE) 
3. Kolar (AUT) 
 
Beam: 
1. Rakoczy (POL) 
2. Nuti (ITA) 
3. Machini (ITA) 
 
GAJDOŠ A.: SHORT HISTORICAL NOTES XXIX                                                                          Vol. 16 Issue 1: 150-154 
Science of Gymnastics Journal                           153                                 Science of Gymnastics Journal 
 
Vault: 
1. Rakoczy (POL) 
2. Kolar (AUT) 
3. Lemoien (FRA) 
 
Free exercise: 
1. Rakoczy (POL) 
2. Kočiš (YUG) 
3. Reindlova (POL) 
 
Swinging rings or uneven bars: 
1. Kolar (AUT), Petersson (SWE) 
2. Rakoczy (POL) 
3. Sandahl (SWE) 
 
 
The best gymnast in Basel Helena Rakoczy (POL) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GAJDOŠ A.: SHORT HISTORICAL NOTES XXIX                                                                          Vol. 16 Issue 1: 150-154 
Science of Gymnastics Journal                           154                                 Science of Gymnastics Journal 
 
During WC Switzerland had also country canton gymnastics festival, where simultaneous 
exercises were present.