IOC Chief, Hungary PM Talk Budapest 2024 - On the Scene

(ATR) Prime Minister Viktor Orbán underlined the government’s full support for the Olympic bid in talks with IOC president Thomas Bach in Budapest Monday.

Bach met Orban on the sidelines of 120th anniversary celebrations for the Hungarian Olympic Committee in the Hungarian capital. The two leaders talked about developments in the country’s sports movement and Budapest’s Olympic quest.

European Olympic Committees president Patrick Hickey and IOC director of NOC relations Pere Miró were among other IOC officials in the delegation who met with NOC officials and bid representatives.

Bach and colleagues were welcomed by NOC President Zsolt Borkai, IOC member Pál Schmitt, IOC honorary member Tamás Aján and government commissioner and Budapest 2024 bid chief Balázs Fürjes.

Bach met Olympians and Olympic champions at the HOC headquarters followed by discussions and presentations on HOC’s sports development programs. HOC secretary general and two-time Olympic champion in fencing Bence Szabó showed the IOC chief around the Kovács Pál Fencing Hall.

Monday’s program was bookended with a spectacular anniversary gala at the Hungarian State Opera. More than 600 guests watched a dazzling show featuring the opera orchestra along with ballet and dance stars. One segment included a female singer and male dancers in tracksuits staging a display of skills in 10 sports to accompany her singing.

"This is a very happy occasion and it makes me very humble at the same time," Bach told the audience, referring to meetings earlier in the evening with multiple Olympic gold medalists.

He said the fact that Hungary could boast so many Olympic champions was testament to "the power and strength of Olympic sport in Hungary".

"The IOC will always be at your side, as we have been for the past 120 years," the IOC president added.

Bach made no specific mention of the Budapest 2024 Olympic bid in his unscripted speech. But he is expected to speak about the bid at the HOC general assembly Tuesday and will doubtless be asked questions about the city’s Olympic mission at a press conference.

Schmitt said in a statement that Hungary’s Olympic legacy had continued with the country’s successes at European and world championships.

"Our ability to host large scale events such as Formula One, 2017 FINA World Championships and the recent award Budapest received as the European city for Sport in 2019 clearly and firmly places the country on the sporting map," he said.

Budapest 2024 bid chief Fürjes added: "These events serve as proof points of our national sporting capabilities, our commitment to making sports accessible for everyone and the nation’s ability to continue developing world class athletes in a safe and secure environment."

Bach’s arrival in Budapest coincided with a public opinion poll conducted by IPSOS earlier this month which found that two-thirds of the Hungarian population would be "proud" if Budapest won 2024 Olympic hosting rights. Only 29 percent were opposed to the idea of Budapest staging the Games.

The bid said the survey results underscored the "strong support" across the country not only in Budapest to bring the Olympics to their nation.

The other cities in the race for 2024 include Rome, Paris and Los Angeles.

Reported and written in Budapest by Mark Bisson

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