PRAGUE (AP) — Imrich Bugár, the first world champion in men’s discus and an Olympic medalist for Czechoslovakia, has died. He was 70.
His former club, Dukla, said he died Wednesday but did not disclose the cause of death.
Bugár was born in Ohrady on April 14, 1955 to a Hungarian family in what is now southern Slovakia and was a leading figure in discus in the 1980s.
He won gold at the inaugural IAAF world athletics championships in Helsinki in 1983 with a throw of 67.72 meters. That year, he cleared 70 meters at a different event and his personal best of 71.26 from 1985 still stands as the Czech record.
A silver medalist at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, he was denied the chance of another medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games because of a boycott by the Soviet Union and its satellites behind the Iron Curtain.
Bugár learned about the decision at a training camp in California.
“I was not ready to take it,” the Dukla announcement quoted him as saying. “I was the best in the world then.”
The Soviet Union said the safety of its athletes was a reason for the move generally understood to be a revenge for the U.S. boycott of the Moscow Games.
Bugár remembered he challenged the propaganda and told a communist leader that “the only thing I saw in the United States linked to the Soviet Union was an ad for the Russian vodka.” He was advised not to talk about it.
He retired in 1995.
In 2006, he denied media reports he was involved in the state-sponsored doping program under communism and that he had tested positive for anabolic steroids in secret testing before the 1987 world championship in Rome.
He finished seventh at that worlds.
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
Athlete Imrich Bugar is pictured at the Sportsman of the Year results ceremony on Dec. 21, 2018, in Prague, Czech Republic. (Ondrej Deml/CTK via AP)
Athlete Imrich Bugar competes at the Golden Spike atletic meeting on June 11, 1986, in Ostrava, Czech Republic. (Petr Berger/CTK via AP)
WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 9, 2026--
Kiddopia, the award-winning learning app for kids, announced today that it has been nominated for Best Kids & Family App in the Apps, Software & Immersive category at the 30th Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260408402414/en/
Kiddopia is a globally loved learning app designed for children aged 2–8, offering a wide range of interactive games and activities that nurture creativity, cognitive development, language skills, and social-emotional learning. With thoughtfully designed content and a safe, ad-free environment, Kiddopia empowers young learners to explore, imagine, and grow at their own pace.
“Nominees like Kiddopia are raising the bar for creativity and innovation on the Internet,” said Nick Borenstein, General Manager of The Webby Awards. “At the 30th Annual Webby Awards, this recognition feels especially meaningful. It’s no small feat to stand out among nearly 13,000 entries, and this year’s work reflects the energy, originality, and ambition shaping the Internet right now.”
“We are incredibly honored to be nominated for the Webby Awards. At Kiddopia, our mission has always been to make learning joyful and meaningful for children around the world. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to creating a safe, engaging, and enriching digital experience for young learners,” said Manish Gaurav, Business Head, Kiddopia.
As a nominee, Kiddopia is also eligible to win a Webby People’s Voice Award, which is voted online by fans across the globe. From now until April 16th, Kiddopia fans can cast their votes at https://bit.ly/4mdDi6k.
About Kiddopia
Kiddopia is an award-winning educational app for kids aged 2–8, designed to foster early childhood development through play. With a curriculum rooted in creativity, critical thinking, and real-world skills, Kiddopia offers a diverse library of interactive games and experiences across subjects like math, language, general knowledge, and social-emotional learning. Trusted by millions of families worldwide, Kiddopia provides a safe, ad-free environment where children can learn, explore, and grow.
About The Webby Awards
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video; Advertising, Media & PR; Apps & Software; Social; Games; Podcasts; Creators and AI. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of The Webby Awards include Adobe, WP Engine, Meltwater, Patreon, NAACP, KPMG, Wall Street Journal, Deadline, AdAge, TechCrunch, The Hollywood Reporter, SXSW, Scalable, and The Society of Digital Agencies.
Kids-loved app, Kiddopia nominated for Webby Awards 2026
