Szijjarto: Hungary remains ‘global sports power’

Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook that in terms of the number of medals won in Paris, Hungary ranked sixth in Europe and “by far” the first among central European countries, adding that “countries much larger … richer and stronger are far behind.”

Szijjarto also said that the first 10-12 places at the Olympics “are usually booked by the world’s largest and strongest countries … the G7, China, Korea, and Australia – and of course Russia, if they are allowed to compete”. “The real competition starts from here,” the minister said, welcoming that “we have finished in the forefront in this competition in the company of New Zealand, Uzbekistan and Spain.”

Szijjarto noted that Hungary was one of 15 countries that had won at least 5 gold medals. “Glory at all levels,” he said, and thanked all athletes and trainers for helping the country again to “this glorious achievement”.

Hungary has won 6 gold, 7 silver, and 6 bronze medals at the Paris Games and finished in 14th place on the medal table, up from the 15th in Tokyo, positioned between Uzbekistan and Spain.