City Park Ice Rink, Budapest, Hungary. It’s a foggy, gray day but the ice is dazzlingly white. Around the rink, the outlines of a castle emerge, almost like something out of a fairy tale. Among the many skaters, a couple suddenly stands out – they dance elegantly, their smiles never leaving their faces. Within moments, a crowd gathers around them. At the end of the music, they bow gracefully, and applause erupts. This isn’t their first time! About a year ago, a tourist happened to notice them, uploaded a short video of their performance, and within a short time, it was viewed by 32 million people. Of course, the ice dancers had no idea they had become stars. László and Mara first met 14 years ago, and in a few months, both will turn 79.
For Mara and László, ice skating is not just a hobby – it’s a testament to the philosophy that “ageing is living”. Their passion for staying active and socially engaged and pursuing what brings them joy reflects how healthy ageing can empower people to live fully, at any age.
Mara Patai was practically born with ice skates on her feet – her father designed the cooling systems for all the ice rinks in Budapest. Mara competed for a few years but had to stop due to an ankle injury. In the 1960s, she got married and had two sons. The family sometimes went ice skating together. Her husband died young in a car accident, which was a huge blow to Mara, who worked as a microbiologist. When she retired, she had plenty of free time, but this also came with many lonely hours. It was then that Mara decided to put her skates back on. “Life has given us both joy and sorrow,” she says. “I think we both originally came to the ice to forget, but we found happiness.” Her smile reveals that this is real love – specifically, “ice love”.
László Gombos has been skating since he was 10 years old, and his connection to ice has never broken. Alongside his job, he taught skating, passing on his love for the sport to his son and, more recently, his grandson, who often records videos of his now-famous grandfather. László’s wife was diagnosed with cancer at a young age, and they never got to enjoy the life they had planned. He still speaks of her with tears in his eyes; the loss has never been erased by the passing decades. Not long after the tragedy, László himself was diagnosed with cancer and underwent several surgeries. “I fought cancer, then came a herniated disc, followed by a stomach ulcer, and I had terrible pain. When we go out on the ice, sometimes I feel like an old, crippled man, but after an hour and a half of skating, I feel like I’m 20 again.”
As long as there’s ice in the city, the dance brings everyday happiness, mental clarity and physical vitality to this active couple. In the summer, they enjoy playing table tennis, hiking and, most recently, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP). Everyone is curious about their secret. For example, how Mara and László’s wonderful, harmonious dance is actually a late-in-life love story. “People like to think there’s a romantic love story behind our history, but our friendship and passion for ice are more than just love. We do what we truly love. This helps us overcome every illness and really makes us happy,” says Mara. László adds, “At nearly 80, we are now role models for our family and for everyone who has had the chance to see us glide on the ice.”
Mara and László’s passion for ice skating is featured in WHO/Europe’s season’s greetings card for 2024.
WHO and healthy ageing
Social participation, activity and mental well-being are central to healthy ageing. Mara and László’s story beautifully demonstrates the message that “ageing is living” – a journey where staying active, connected and engaged brings purpose, joy and vitality. Being able to remain socially connected and involved in community life has a significant impact on physical and mental health. WHO highlights the importance of combating social isolation and loneliness, particularly during the winter season, when even a small gesture of kindness can make a difference.
WHO/Europe’s focus on “ageing in good health” as part of the second European Programme of Work (EPW2) reflects a shared vision: fostering environments that enable people of all ages to thrive, connect and live with dignity and purpose. Currently being developed, EPW2 will combine a strategic outlook to address the broad forces affecting health in the long term, and a prioritized five-year work programme for the WHO European Region for 2025–2030.