Our Volunteers at the Heart of the 2025 Gyulai István Memorial

This summer, the National Athletics Centre once again welcomed world-class stars, as the Gyulai István Memorial returned to Budapest. Thanks to the organization of the TF Volunteer and Sustainability Office, dedicated volunteers were present at every moment of the competition — without them, the event could not have reached such a high standard.

Even during the training days leading up to the meet, they had a special experience: they could watch and assist the world’s best athletes in their preparations for the big showdown, from up close. We owe special thanks to our volunteers working at the hotels for their patience and attentiveness in supporting the athletes’ every need — from their arrival to the final day of the competition.

One of the greatest challenges was the heat, yet our volunteers’ perseverance and smiles lasted until the very end. They stood their ground heroically at every venue — whether helping with trackside duties in the stadium, refilling water coolers, assisting referees, or ensuring smooth operations in the media zone. Volunteers were also present at spectator entry points, guiding arrivals and handing out the Nemzeti Sport special edition to everyone.

At the end of the competition, a truly special moment closed the experience: the winners of the Gyulai István Memorial — world and Olympic champions — walked up to the podium through a guard of honour formed by the volunteers. A group photo was also taken with the world stars, one that is sure to be featured in both domestic and international press.

“We hope this memory will remain a lasting treasure for everyone — it certainly will for us. The mission and responsibility of the Volunteer and Sustainability Office is to recognize and make visible the contributions of volunteers. This time, we truly succeeded in doing so,” said Szilvia Perényi, head of the office.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the nearly 200 volunteers for their dedication, enthusiasm, and exemplary attitude, as well as our volunteer coordinators and staff for their excellent cooperation.

The Gyulai István Memorial was not only an event of great sporting significance but also a memorable community experience for all of us.

18 Aug 2025