Vale Frank Prihoda, Australia’s oldest Olympian

Snow Australia is saddened by the passing of Australia’s oldest Olympian, Alpine skier Frank Prihoda, who passed away overnight, aged 101.

Frank represented Australia in Alpine Skiing at the Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 Olympic Winter Games and has been instrumental in the development of Victoria’s winter community.

Born in the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia) in 1921, Frank started skiing as an eight-year-old. After escaping from his native country in 1949 with his brother-in-law, Frank arrived in Melbourne in February of 1950.

Soon after his arrival, he commenced skiing on weekends at Mt Buller, Victoria. He quickly built a name for himself, taking up some informal coaching and competing in the Victorian, NSW and national ski championships, before he was selected to compete for Australia at the 1956 Olympic Winter Games

Frank placed 54th in the Slalom and 80th in the Giant Slalom at Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956, Australia’s second appearance in Alpine skiing at the Olympic Winter Games. His sister Sasha Nekvapil had already become an Olympian in 1948, representing Czechoslovakia at the St Moritz Olympic Winter Games before deciding to flee her native country. She did not return home with the team and eventually joined her brother in Australia.

After the Games, Prihoda took up administrative and organisational roles with the Victorian Ski Association, first becoming the chair of their Race Committee and then taking up the role of President. He moved to Thredbo in 1972 and has lived there since.

His family started the first ski lodge business in Thredbo and for 27 years Frank ran a shop selling souvenirs and gifts. He was also active in the community, becoming a foundation member of the Thredbo Historical Society and carrying the Olympic Torch in 2000, when he lit the cauldron on the Village Green on the torch's journey towards Sydney.

Prihoda retired in late 2001, but did not stop skiing until much later, when he turned 90. At his 100th birthday party in Thredbo, Frank was presented with the Snow Australia Medal.

Snow Australia CEO Michael Kennedy paid tribute to the incredible legacy Frank has left amongst the Snow Australia community.

“Ever since he decided to call Australia home, Frank dedicated himself fully to the advancement of snowsports in our country, first as an athlete and then as an administrator. He was a pioneer of our snow community as much as a ski legend in his own right, representing Australia at the Olympic Winter Games in 1956,” Kennedy said.

“His life was an inspiring example of how passion, courage and determination can lead to achieving great things in sport as well as in life. He will be deeply missed, but forever remembered in the Snow Australia community.”

The Snow Australia community extends their deepest sympathy to the extended family and close friends of Frank.