Budapest 2024 Leader: "We are Here to Win"

(ATR) Budapest 2024 chairman Balasz Furjes tells Around the Rings that the Hungarian capital is "the right-scale city at the right time," to host the Summer Olympic Games.

The Hungarian bid leader pointed out that the mid-size central European city can offer the Olympic movement something substantially more intimate and compact than the previous four "biggest and richest" Summer Games hosts including Tokyo 2020.

Furjes proclaimed at a meeting with ATR held at the Hungarian NOC's hospitality house: "If the Games came back to a mid-sized global city like Budapest that would be a game-changer, a different model,"

The Budapest bid chairman said the mid-sized city "would be a more compact, intimate arrangement, with exceptionally short travel distances so spectators and journalists can go to multiple events during the days easily."

The Government Commissioner responsible for Budapest flagship developments advised that "all of this is being put together at a reasonable cost" and that "central Europe has something to contribute to the Olympic Movement".

In a bid race against rival cities Los Angeles, Paris and Rome, all of which have hosted Olympic Games, Furjes does not consider Budapest to be an underdog.

"We don’t consider ourselves to be the underdog at all, we are an equal participant with equal chances – we are here to win this game," Furjes said.

Furjes said Hungarian leaders are supporting the bid, while advising that the Hungarian president Janos Ader was in Budapest for the Rio Olympics opening and met with IOC president Thomas Bach. Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban is expected to arrive for the final few days of the Games.

Furjes and representatives from Budapest 2024 held a news conference to further spread their message to international media on Tuesday at Rio’s Main Press Center.

Budapest 2024 is being positioned as a safe, reliable and economical choice with a compact plan where all venues are within six kilometers, some accessible by boat along the Danube River. Furjes playfully referred to Hungary’s famed river as the "Olympic Blue Lane."

Bid officials conveyed that Hungary boasts a long and storied sports tradition, especially in swimming, water polo and fencing, and is the only country among the top 10 in Summer Games medals that has not hosted the Olympics.

"We are a sporting nation with a deep passion for the Olympic Games and we would like to share this with the world," said Hungarian three-time Olympic swimmer and an athlete ambassador to the bid Agnes Kovacs. "The Games in Budapest would inspire and encourage the world and us."

Marquee venues include water polo on Margaret Island and swimming nearby on Obuda Island. Seven compact venue clusters would be divided between the Danube Zone and Heroes’ Zone.

Ten sports venues and the Olympic Park and Athletes village will be accessible via boat along the Danube River – or Olympic blue lane as Furjes called it.

Twenty-seven sport venues will be within 10 kilometers radius of the Olympic village with average travel time not exceeding 13 minutes.

According to Furjes, only five new venues will need to be constructed for 2024 at a cost of just $350 million. He informed "The Olympic Act" has been passed by the Hungarian Parliament and the bid has 84% public support.

"I truly believe that the IOC will go for a city with a safe and reliable environment and Budapest is that," Furjes said.

Hungary House Elegant and Entertaining

For the first time at the Olympics, the Hungarian NOC welcomes guests and visitors at a hospitality house. Hungary House is located near the shores of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas at the Rio Jockey Club.

Those fortunate to visit can sample an abundance of renowned Hungarian water varieties or relax on the outdoor lounge in the shadow of an enormous Rubik’s Cube. The structure pays tribute to Erno Rubik, the Hungarian creator of the multi-colored puzzle that attained instant popularity upon its release in 1974.

Challenge your friends at a physical test of video swimming where you propel yourself thru digital water by tapping as fast as possible on a soft pad.

There are also exhibits that showcase the venue and transportation plan for Budapest 2024 with an interactive map.

Track your favorite Hungarian Olympic medalists by touching any medal displayed on a large video screen. With a quick touch, detailed information about the nation’s Olympians past and present pops up.

Leaving Hungary House one sees small illuminated fountains to their right, but be careful as Hungarian NOC practical jokers have been known to playfully attack visitors with the foaming bubbles.

Written by Brian Pinelli in Rio de Janeiro