“Hungary will be hosting the 2020 European Aquatics Championships”, President of the European Swimming League (LEN) Paolo Barelli and LEN Treasurer and President of the Hungarian Swimming Association Tamás Gyárfás announced at a press conference following a meeting of the organisation’s Bureau.
At the press conference, Minster of State for Sport Dr. Tünde Szabó told reporters that the Government of Hungary had committed itself to hosting as many international sports events as possible many years ago. “This decision was followed by action, as a result of which Hungary now regularly hosts such sports events, including six European Championships since 2005 in Debrecen, Budapest and most recently Hódmezővásárhely”, she said.
“Thanks to the European Championships hosted so far and the FINA World Championships to be hosted in 2017, we have and will have amassed a level of experience that few countries possess”, Ms. Szabó added.
The Minister of State reminded the press that sport is an issue of national pride in Hungary and this is why the Government decided to help fund the Hungarian Swimming Association and the Hungarian Water Polo Association when they decided to launch bids to host the 2020 Swimming, Open Water, Diving, Synchronised Swimming and High Diving European Championships and the 2020 European Water Polo Championships.
“We are extremely happy to have been awarded the right to host the 35th European Championships in 2020 and we would like to take this opportunity to once again thank the Bureau of the European Swimming League”, Ms. Szabó stressed.
“Swimming and the Championships of Europe’s talented young athletes are at the centre of attention in Hungary once again this week. In addition to the meeting of the LEN Bureau, the continent’s junior swimmers are currently competing at the 43rd Arena European Junior Swimming Championships in Hódmezővásárhely, where Hungary was so far won 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals. This puts us in 3rd place in the medal rankings, so congratulations to our young swimmers and their coaches”, the Minister of State said.
According to LEN General Secretary David Sparkes, from Great Britain, the Hungarian Government’s sports policies are exemplary.