The hosts were deeply touched not only by the sports results of the swimmer, but also by the thoughts she shared, as she spoke honestly about the difficulties of elite sports, the everyday life full of resignations and the importance of motivation.
The Hungarian German General Education Center (MNÁMK) in Baja has been famous for its innovations, preservation of tradition and inspiring programs for decades. The institution is among the best schools in the country and regularly hosts outstanding personalities who can serve as role models for students. Most recently, Katinka Hosszú, a swimmer from Baja, visited the school.
Antal Fiedler, the MNÁMK dormitory teacher and the organizer of the event, told about the evening.
"It is a great pleasure for us that Katinka Hosszú accepted our invitation," he said. During the question-and-answer conversation, the swimmer spoke honestly about her career, starting with her childhood dreams and ending with her Olympic successes in Rio. He participated in five Olympics and many other world competitions. He is a three-time Olympic, nine-time world and fifteen-time European champion in the 50-meter pool.
– We found out that she wanted to be an Olympic champion as a little girl, and her grandfather was the first to recognize her exceptional talent. He talked about how, although he came to the Olympics in London as a great prospect, he was not able to achieve the expected results. Four years later, however, he won three gold medals in Rio, because then he already believed in himself and in the work he had done - Antal Fiedler summarized.
The students were deeply touched not only by Katinka's sports results, but also by the thoughts she shared. The swimmer spoke honestly about the difficulties of elite sport, the everyday life full of resignations and the importance of motivation.
- After finishing fourth in London in 2012, Katinka understood that in order to achieve her childhood dream, the Olympic title, in addition to talent and hard work, she must also be in good shape mentally. As he put it: we should always believe in ourselves and do everything we can to achieve our goals. If you fail, it should only be a stepping stone to success, the teacher said.
After the event, Katinka Hosszú's documentary was shown in the dormitory, which further deepened the message of the evening.
"We talk a lot with the children about how to properly handle external and internal expectations and how to find the path that is truly ours," said Antal Fiedler. According to the teacher, Katinka Hosszú's visit had a profound effect not only on the students, but on the entire community.
– This evening was like a Christmas present for me. I put its spiritual content under my Christmas tree in my imagination. Katinka's thoughts and example carried valuable messages for all of us, he said with emotion.
Although Katinka Hosszú has set the bar high, MNÁMK plans more such discussions. "As a child, I also needed real role models, and I feel that today's young people get the greatest motivation when they meet these people in person," said Antal Fiedler. Katinka Hosszú's visit was a fitting end to the year, and will surely be remembered for a long time by both the students and the organizers. The next events of the MNÁMK will surely be similarly inspiring, since something special is always happening at the German school.
Cover photo: Katinka Hosszú and Antal Fiedler
Source: Baon.hu/Gábor Kovács
