100-year-old Hungarian University of Sports Science receives EOC Olympic Laurel Award

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European Olympic Committee (EOC) awarded Hungarian University of Sports Science (HUSS) with the EOC Olympic Laurel Award. HUSS is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The university, founded in 1925 under the name of College of Physical Education (TF), received the prestigious recognition at the EOC General Assembly held in Frankfurt on Saturday, 1st March. The university’s Rector Professor Tamás Sterbenz, accepted the award from the organization’s Greek president, Spyros Capralos.

The event was attended by Zsolt Gyulay, president of the Hungarian Olympic Committee (HOC), who nominated the university for the award, as well as László Fábián, HOC’s Secretary General, and Dr Balázs Fürjes, Hungarian member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOC President Thomas Bach and all seven candidates for the IOC presidency also attended the event. During the award ceremony, it was announced that the EOC will hold its General Assembly in Budapest next year.

Several Hungarian sports leaders have already received the prestigious European Olympic Laurel award from the EOC. In 2017, Rezső Gallov, former Secretary General of the Hungarian Swimming Federation, Canadian water polo captain, former President of the National Sports Office, and former Vice President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee (HOC), was honoured.

In November 2021, Dr Jenő Kamuti, Olympic silver medallist, world champion fencer, chief of surgery, President of the Hungarian and International Fair Play Committee, Athlete of the Hungarian Nation, and a member of the HOC Executive Board, received the award. In 2022, Pál Schmitt, two-time Olympic champion fencer, Athlete of the Hungarian Nation, honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), honorary President of HOC, former President of Hungary, was recognized. In 2023, Zoltán Molnár, former Secretary General and executive director of HOC, and President of the Hungarian Coaches Association, also received the award.

3 Mar 2025