The President of the IOC, who was himself a former Olympic champion fencer, arrived in Budapest to attend the opening of the World Fencing Championships.
At the meeting, which was also attended by Balázs Fürjes, Minister of State for the development of Budapest and the metropolitan agglomeration, the Prime Minister congratulated Mr Bach on the fact that the organisation led by him celebrated the 125th anniversary of its establishment at the end of June, and that on this occasion the new, modern headquarters of the IOC, the Olympic House in Lausanne, was inaugurated. Mr Orbán pointed out that there was also a Hungarian among the organisation’s founders, Ferenc Kemény, and during the period which has elapsed since, the Committee has had eight Hungarian members.
Mr Bach expressed his appreciation in connection with the success of the international sports events hosted in Hungary. At the meeting, the parties confirmed that by now Budapest has indisputably become one of the world’s most significant sports capitals, thanks to the outstanding results of Hungarian sports, the Hungarian people’s love of sports, and the fact that Budapest is always a good host. Situated in the very heart of Europe, it is easily accessible from anywhere, and Hungary is one of the world’s safest countries.