According to Sebastian Coe, a British member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Balázs Fürjes, who was elected as an IOC member on Tuesday, "will be a serious asset to the Olympic movement." His election ensured continuous Hungarian representation in the world's most prestigious international sports organization.

Balázs Fürjes became a permanent member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after the organization's general assembly in Mumbai elected him to the position on Tuesday, in accordance with the September proposal of the executive committee.

"The recognition and trust goes to Hungary, Hungarian sport, the Hungarian Olympic movement, that's obvious. My job is still to humbly serve the Olympic movement and Hungarian sports, as one team member among many. "Thank you for the united support of the entire Hungarian Olympic family, the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB), President Zsolt Gyulay, our former and current IOC members, Pál Schmitt and Dániel Gyurta, as well as our other champions," said the 51-year-old Fürjes after the vote, who became a permanent member of the IOC with an overwhelming majority, more than ninety percent of the votes.

He added: "I really count on Pál Schmitt's advice in the future - he spent four decades in the IOC, he has everything in his little finger, he knows everyone, he knows everything, he has great authority among the membership. For me, this assignment is a great honor and an even greater responsibility, which I will fulfill with the interests of the Hungarian Olympians and the Olympic movement in mind. It certainly wouldn't work alone, I've always believed in teamwork.

Hungarian sport can count on me, and I also count on the cooperation of my teammates."

"I am very happy and congratulate Balázs from the bottom of my heart, this also shows that we chose a good candidate in the spring," said MOB president Zsolt Gyulay. "The strategic goal of the MOB was to not remain without a permanent Hungarian member even after Pál Schmitt's membership for four decades, but at the same time it should be known that there are no automatisms here. No one can delegate to the IOC, it is absolutely not mandatory to be an IOC member from Hungary or any other country."

"Balázs Fürjes reached his goal in half a year, this is a rare quick success. useful for both Hungarian sport and the international Olympic movement. IOC member for Hungary, who is a determined and hard-working team player", and with whom he has an excellent personal relationship.

Fürjes was asked by the MOB at the end of March to submit his application for permanent IOC membership. Among the newly elected members, Fürjes is the youngest, and also younger than the average age of the entire membership. In addition to Balázs Fürjes, Yael Arad from Israel, Cecilia Tait from Peru, Michelle Yeoh from Malaysia, Michael Mronz from Germany, Petra Sörling from Sweden, Kim Jeul from South Korea and Merez Bussajen from Tunisia received their trust.

Balázs Fürjes, as a permanent member elected in his own right, will certainly remain a member of the IOC until the age of 70, and his mandate can be extended several times by decision of the IOC General Assembly.

Sebastian Coe, a British member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said that he has been following Balázs Fürjes' passion for sports and the Olympic movement since he led the Budapest 2024 Olympic bid.

    "Even though the application was withdrawn, his commitment and enthusiasm remained, and throughout, he helped with a firm hand, among other things, the preparation and implementation of this year's exceptionally successful World Athletics Championships in Budapest. In his new role, also as an IOC member, he will be of great value to the Olympic movement, I look forward to continuing our joint work" -

declared the president of the International Athletics Federation.

Szerhij Bubka, a Ukrainian IOC member and Olympic champion pole vaulter, emphasized that Fürjes' "experience in urban development, planning and building sports facilities, and organizing major sports events is extremely valuable", and in his view, "the IOC needs exactly this knowledge today".

    "I am especially grateful to him and to Hungary for organizing the fantastically successful World Athletics Championships this summer. The successful WC was another proof of Balázs' excellent leadership skills, strategic and innovative thinking. I am very happy that from now on we have become colleagues in addition to our old friendship"

Bubka stated.

According to IOC Vice-President Juan-Antonio Samaranch, "By electing Balázs Fürjes, the members of the IOC have actually expressed their trust, and both Hungary and Balázs very much deserve this trust."

"I have known Balázs for years and I can only praise his work, his original thoughts and vision regarding the future of the Olympic movement. His commitment and experience represent a serious added value for the IOC and the entire Olympic community. I'm proud, the general assembly made a wise decision, and I'm looking forward to working together in this capacity as well," said Samaranch, who is also the vice president of the International Penthouse Association.

MTI

Cover photo: Balázs Fürjes Facebook / Mandiner