World Aquatics, the world federation of water sports, is moving to Budapest. The congress of the organization, which was held at the venue of the world championship in Fukuoka, voted on this on Tuesday. At the event - at which the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó gave a speech - an image film was also shown, on which the participants could admire the visual plans of the new Budapest center.
Everyone voted in favor of the "relocation" accepted at the suggestion of Bürö, the governing body of World Aquatics, with three no votes against.
President Hussein al-Mussalam, who was elected for another eight years at the beginning of the congress, said that they will not completely say goodbye to Lausanne, Switzerland, which has been the home of the association since 1986, for example, the foundation will continue to have its headquarters there.
"I am grateful to the Hungarian government and the leaders of water sports for giving us the opportunity and understanding us. I know that they will help any athlete in the world who goes to the new center, where they will find not the president's office, but water, perfect training facilities"
said the sports manager.
Péter Szijjártó was also able to receive an acknowledgment from the president of the association, with whom the contract on the new center was signed. In his speech, he emphasized that Hungary is proud of the fact that, after 2017, it was also able to organize an extraordinary World Cup last year as a substitute. He added that Hungary is one of the eight founders of the international swimming federation and is the seventh most successful in the history of the world championships. He highlighted the water polo team's nine Olympic gold medals, including the 1956 victory in Melbourne, which he called one of the most emotional achievements of all time. Today, Hungary is seventh in the overall medal table of the world championships, Hungarian athletes have already won more than a hundred medals, while the country is only 95th in terms of population, and this success story will continue after two more medals were won during the current competitions, he pointed out.
And he emphasized that
another record will be set this year, as Zsuzsanna Jakabos is participating in her ninth World Championships, which is unprecedented among Hungarian swimmers.
"We are ready to negotiate the necessary facilities. We offer a new dimension, we are waiting for you in an international environment. The Hungarian World Cup in 2027 will be a good opportunity for everyone to visit us to see the new center," said Péter Szijjártó.
Before the congress, President Hussein al-Mussalam also spoke about the possible return of the Russian athletes.
MTI
Photo: fina-budapest2017.com
