"VAN" (Sports Desk - 23.08.2025) :: Thomas Bach, Olympic fencing champion and IOC President from 2013 to 2025, arrived in Budapest for a three-day visit filled with tributes. No longer burdened by the crises that defined his presidency — the pandemic, doping scandals and conflicts — Bach was greeted as a statesman who had steered the Olympic movement into a new era of stability and global relevance.
At the Sándor Palace, President Tamás Sulyok presented him with Hungary’s highest state honor, praising a career that combined athletic excellence, legal expertise and diplomacy. Sulyok highlighted Bach’s decision to add “together” to the Olympic motto, calling it the driving force of his success. In his remarks, Bach thanked Hungarian leaders, including Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and former presidents Pál Schmitt and Katalin Novák, for their support during difficult years, and expressed deep affection for Hungarians, recalling his lifelong friendship with Olympic fencer Jenő Kamuti.
The ceremony was attended by international sports leaders, among them Husain Al-Musallam, President of World Aquatics, who told Nemzeti Sport:-
“He worked tirelessly for the movement long before his presidency, always defending the athletes. As a champion himself, he understood their perspective — and with his legal knowledge he strengthened both the athletes and the movement until his very last day.”
Bach and his wife also toured the new headquarters of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, housed within the University of Physical Education. MOB President Zsolt Gyulay emphasized his colleague’s enduring legacy:
“He climbed every step — from Olympic champion to Athletes’ Commission chair to IOC President. His diplomacy, stamina and vision guided the movement through stormy waters. The success of Paris 2024 and the renewed strength of the Olympic idea are very much his achievement.”
Later that day, the University of Physical Education awarded Bach an honorary doctorate before a full auditorium. Rector Tamás Sterbencz noted how the former IOC President spoke of “our university” rather than “your university,” underlining his sense of belonging. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also praised him as “the guardian of Olympic values” who ensured the Games remained faithful to their founders’ ideals.
Bach’s legacy was also recognized by Israel’s IOC member Yael Arad, the country’s first Olympic medalist:
“For many years I watched him lead in good times and bad. He was always a role model for me — not only focused on elite sport, but on how sport can build a better world. Coming from the Middle East, I believe in the power of sport to build bridges, and Thomas Bach showed this is possible.”
The celebrations were also attended by Hungarian Olympic champions Hubert Kós and Michel Gulyás, alongside past greats, in a program that mixed official recognition with informal moments, including a Danube cruise at sunset.
Looking back on his visit, Bach reflected once more on Hungary’s Olympic ambitions:
“Even during my presidency I was impressed by Hungary’s plans — creative, sustainable ideas worthy of a sporting nation. I sincerely wish the Hungarians every success in pursuing this great undertaking.”
For Hungary’s IOC member Balázs Fürjes, the celebrations carried a broader message:
“In today’s world we are quick to criticize, but not always good at saying thank you. By honoring Thomas Bach, Hungary set an example. He was a brilliant IOC President — in twelve years not one of his proposals was ever rejected. We owe him gratitude, not only as a friend of Hungary, but as a leader who navigated the Olympic ship through stormy seas.”
Cr - AIPS
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