"AMONG THE FIRSTS. PROUD AND CHAMPION"

Among the Firsts

After the celebrations of the International Olympic Movement, the Hungarian Olympic Committee also arrived at an exceptional jubilee: December 19, 1995 was the 100th anniversary of the Hungarian Olympic Committee's foundation. This important date can be considered a unique jubilee both from the aspect of international and domestic comparison. After the Red Cross Society, which was established by the Hungarian Holy Crown Countries in 1881, the Hungarian Olympic Committee is the second oldest public organization. Followed by the French, Greek, German, U.S. and Australian National Olympic Committees the Hungarian Olympic Committee is the sixth National Olympic Committee founded in the World. As early as 1894 the Hungarian sport was represented at the Paris convention staged for the establishment of the International Olympic Committee and the revival of the Ancient Games. Mr. Ferenc Kemény, school principal of Eger and a good friend of Baron Coubertin became a founding member of the International Olympic Committee. The Hungarian athletes attended the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Besides two exceptions - Antwerp in 1920 due to WWI and Los Angeles in 1984 due to the boycott dictated by Moscow - Hungary's athletes attended every Summer Olympics. In addition on every occasion they brought home gold medals. The Olympic Games of Berlin, London, Tokyo and Mexico are fond memories in the history of the Hungarian sport. This is due to the fact that from all these Olympic Host Cities Hungarians brought home 10 gold medals respectively. Not to speak about Helsinki where Hungary's national anthem was played 16 times. Hungarians both in Seoul and Barcelona celebrated 11 victories.

IOC 1896.:(from left, down):P.de Coubertin (FRA), D.Vikelasz (GRE), General Butovskiy (RUS).
(Up):W.Gebhardt (GER), J.Guth-JArkowsky (CZE), Ferenc Kemény (HUN), General V.Balck (SWE).

Proud and Champions

At the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta the Hungarian athletes won 6 gold, 4 silver and 10 bronze medals while in Sydney our athletes produced 8 gold, 6 silver and 3 bronze medals. By accomplishing this Hungary has managed to maintain its leading role within the world sport community. The 149 gold, 133 silver and 159 bronze medals speak eloquently for themselves illustrating the achievement and international stature of the Hungarian sport. Such series of success is best demonstrated by the achievements of the outstanding and exceptional champions as the sabre fencer Aladár Gerevich (7 Olympic Championship titles), Rudolf Kárpáti and Pál Kovács both fencers (6 Olympic Championship titles), the gymnast Ágnes Keleti and the swimmer Krisztina Egerszegi (5 Olympic Championship titles) Tamás Darnyi (swimming), Gyõzõ Kulcsár and Jenõ Fuchs epee and sabre fencers (4 Olympic Championship titles). The shining stars of modern pentathlon and boxing are András Balczó and László Papp. The seven-time Olympic champion Hungarian water polo team or Ferenc Puskás, the captain of the Olympic champion Hungarian football team are all acknowledged worldwide. After Mr. Ferenc Kemény who shared work in the inception of modern-age Olympics a number of eminent sport leaders were elected into the International Olympic Committee like the Olympic champion in art competitions Mr. Ferenc Mezõ or Dr. Árpád Csanádi, the former IOC Sports Director, head of the Program Committee and member of the Executive Board. At present the double Olympic champion Dr. Pál Schmitt (IOC Member since 1983, Member of the IOC Executive Board 1991-1999, IOC Vice President 1995-1999) and Dr. Tamás Aján (ex officio as the President of the International Weightlifting Federation) are the members of the International Olympic Committee from Hungary.

Under the Communist Dictatorship

In the years followed by World War II the state sport administration assimilated the Hungarian Olympic Committee and took its sovereignty. The presidential position was filled by the current chief of state sport administrator and the Executive Board activities were reduced to formalities. The state sport administration's fulltime staff performed the NOC tasks.

Independence Regained

Followed by the profound political changes the democratization process had its impact on the Hungarian Olympic Movement as well. The Hungarian Olympic Committee regained its autonomy and independence in June 1989 after long decades of dependence. The similarly reshaped and freed sport federations in compliance with the principles of the Olympic Charter delegated the majority of 170 members. Within the NOC places were reserved for representatives of the collaborating institutions, ministries, sports clubs, municipalities including the media. The Hungarian NOC's remaining seats were granted to Olympic Champions and Olympic Order Recipients. Currently, the Hungarian Olympic Committee has 17 Olympic Champion and 19 Olympian members.

Long-awaited Free Elections

The General Assembly declaring the reorganization elected a president, a secretary general and three vice presidents followed by 10 members of the Executive Board. The General Assembly is held three or four times a year while the Executive Board meets on a bimonthly basis. On the occasion of the reformation of the Hungarian Olympic Committee Dr. Pál Schmitt was elected as President and Dr. Tamás Aján as General Secretary both of who have been re-elected unanimously in 1993, 1996 and 2001 for another 4-year period. At the electoral general assembly held after the Sydney Olympics the constitution was modified. This was needed in order to adapt to the known modifications in the Olympic Charter along with the new Hungarian Sport Law in effect as of January 1, 2002.

 
Dr. Pál Schmitt and Dr. Tamás Aján

Substantial Liabilities in the Management of Hungarian Sports

After the 1998 parliamentarian elections the newly formed civilian government decided to establish the Ministry of Youth and Sports. According to their suggestions several significant modifications were implemented in the sports administration and finances. The role of the Hungarian Olympic Committee has been considerably increased since. Besides the tasks of preparation for and participation at the Olympic Games the distribution of state subsidy for the elite sport along with the allocation of the sports scholarships were also placed in the authority of the Hungarian Olympic Committee. In parallel with this the membership dropped with 20% to 154 members with keeping the majority of the sports associations' delegates. In accordance with the international standards women are now receiving a more substantial role and growing opportunities. In total 20 ladies have been delegated to the Hungarian Olympic Committee even two of them were elected to the Executive Board namely, Ms. Rita Kõbán - Olympic Champion kayaker - and Ms. Judit Faragó - Secretary General of the Hungarian Table Tennis Association. Previously the chief of the governmental sports administration was used to fulfill the Vice Presidential position but based on the effective Law of Sport the current Minister of Children, Youth and Sports is invited to attend the Executive Board meeting with an observer status.

 
Judit Faragó and Rita Kõbán

Executives at Work

The Executive Board is assisted by 5 permanent commissions (auditing, sports sciences, sports medicine, fair play and athletes) and 4 working commissions (legacy, women and sport, sport and environment and media). Director Zoltan Molnar heads the administration and operative work. Directors supervise the sports and marketing related issues respectively. The HOC administration maintains a daily connection with the sports associations. Based on the successful marketing activities the Hungarian Olympic Committee is able to provide with an additional 30% of financial support on the top of the state subsidy to the operation of Hungarian sports associations. The Hungarian Olympic Movement is sponsored by such internationally prestigious companies as adidas Hungary Co., Westel Telecommunication Co., Hungarian Lottery Co., CO-OP food store chain, QBE Atlas Insurance Co., Coca-Cola, Samsung, Dunaferr Steelworks Co. and etc.

Zoltán Molnár

Heroes and Winners

The Hungarian Olympic Champion's Club was founded in 1993 under the presidency of Dezso Lemhényi, Olympic Champion in water polo who had also worked as a successful head coach and whose wife, Ms. Olga Tass, is also an Olympic champion in gymnastics. The club meets and gathers regularly and its principal goals are the prevention of interest, the moral support of the Olympic preparation and the promotion of the Olympic ideals. The Club organized a trip to London in 1998 to attend the 50th Anniversary of the 1948 London Olympics and also visited the Olympic Museum in Lausanne and Olimpia, location of the ancient Olympics. In the year 2002 an additional trip to Helsinki was implemented to celebrate our unforgettable triumph, the 50th anniversary of the 16 Hungarian Olympic Championship titles. The Olympic Champions have always been cherished and esteemed consequently, the Hungarian government passed a bill in force as of 1 January 1998, which provides a special annuity for the Olympic gold medal holders. An additional and beneficial bill was passed in effect as of January 1, 2001 declaring all silver and bronze medalist to receive a proportionally identical annual allowance. All Olympic medalists living in Hungary - older than 35 years of age - are entitled to receive life-annuity on a monthly basis. The Olympic Champion's widows are also eligible to receive financial aid to secure their living.

The Hungarian team in the 50th Anniversary of the 1952 Helsinki

Olympic Career Path

The Hungarian Olympic Committee is committed to assist future, present and former Olympic athletes with academic career pursued in institutions of higher education at their choice and secure their return to the society upon retiring from active competitive sport. Consequently, the Hungarian Olympic Committee launched a program titled Olympic Career Path to help Olympians educate themselves. Currently, out of 750 athletes from the Hungarian National Olympic Teams 140 sportsmen and sportswomen are attending institutions of higher education and an additional 170 athletes have already indicated their intention to continue with their studies. The Hungarian Olympic Committee has already signed cooperation agreements with 24 various institutions of higher education nation-wide to provide easier access for the athletes to universities, receive financial benefits and mentor assistance if required. The NOC set aside a significant financial assistance that is 50.000 USD to help Olympians continue with their academic career. As a tradition prior to Summer Games the Hungarian Olympic Committee has again launched a language course program for the potential Olympic athletes, coaches and sports managers to provide them with and update their English language knowledge.

Academic Idea. Olympic Philosophy

In the promotion and recognition of Olympic ideal the Hungarian Olympic Academy established in 1986 plays a substantial role. The HOC Secretary General ex officio fulfills the presidential position. The President of the Hungarian Olympic Academy is Dr. Tamas Ajan. The Academy organizes itinerary meetings and Olympic camps domestically, fosters traditions and legacy, greets the Olympic champions on their anniversaries and fulfills piety activities. Domestically 21 institutions of education have been named after Hungarian Olympic Champions and these schools have included the Studies of Olympism in their curriculum.

"Fair Play is the Only Way"

Beside the organizations and coordination of the Olympic preparation and participation, the HOC Executive Board is remarkably active in boosting the popularity of the Olympic ideals. The campaign called "Fair Play is the Only Way" has now reached nation-wide dimensions. The service named "Doping Doctor" is a 24-hour telephone assistance that has been available with professional aid, support and information. Established by the Hungarian Olympic Committee the fight against doping has been coordinated by a three-party organization under the supervision of Dr. Jenõ Kamuti Olympic silver medalist and World Champion fencer, member of the IOC Medical Commission. On average 600 tests are analyzed annually of which more than 50% are taken out-of-competitions and without prior notice.

Dr. Jenõ Kamuti