Ongoing Row Could Overshadow 2017 Swimming Championships

(ATR) Hungarian swimmers have called for a change in leadership in the national federation, a row that could impact the country’s 2024 Olympic bid.

Rio 2016 gold medalist Katinka Hosszu released a statement on Facebook asking for Hungarian Swimming Federation chairman Tamas Gyarfas to resign. The statement was released on behalf of her and other swimmers in Hungary. The swimmers have asked for better conditions and more transparency from the federation.

Budapest is scheduled to host the 2017 International Aquatics Federation (FINA) World Championship. The event is one of the key championships hosted ahead of the 2017 IOC Session, which will determine the 2024 Olympics host.

Gyarfas was re-elected to his position in Hungary by a 119-1 margin last year and serves as a vice-president of FINA. He also holds roles in the Hungarian Olympic Committee and the European Swimming Federation.

"All of us resent the singular influence of the chairman on all decision-making," Houssa said. "The single most important condition to the situation we desire is that the current leaders of the Hungarian Swimming Association - which no longer enjoys the confidence it needs to represent the world of swimming - step down."

According to international media reports, sport leaders in Hungary have called for reconciliation to allow for a smooth event. Tunde Szabo, Hungarian secretary of sports, said in a statement that the 2017 championships cannot be undermined by "anarchy raising its head in the sport". Reports said that Szabo’s statement was backed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Orban recently overhauled Hungarian sport by taking budgetary powers away from the Hungarian Olympic Committee. It also gives the government power to appoint heads of national federations.

"The leadership of the sport must change and adapt," Szabo said. "The swimming association must respond to the demands of the athletes because the steps they have taken so far are insufficient."

Written by Aaron Bauer

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