Budapest Launches Olympic 2024 Bid
The city of Budapest officially launched on Thursday its bid to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.
The timing is appropriate, as this week Hungary also celebrates its part in the founding of the modern Olympics and the first gold medal ever won for the country in the 1896 Olympic Games.
A programme of coordinated citywide activities commenced Thursday at the Freedom Statue, a national symbol of liberty and peace that commands spectacular views over the Citadella.
The day’s events began with short addresses from key figures in Budapest’s bid committee and sport community.
The speaker line-up demonstrated strong support for the bid from the city of Budapest and the Hungarian government, and underlined Budapest’s capability as a seasoned host of numerous European and World Championship sport events, including the FINA World Championships and the European Youth Olympic Festival.
Speakers included:
- The mayor of Budapest, István Tarlós
- Zsolt Borkai, President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee
- Balázs Fürjes, Chairman of the Budapest 2024 Bid Committee
- Attila Szalay-Berzeviczy, President of the Movement to Bring the Olympics to Budapest
- Ágnes Kovács, Olympic champion and Chair of the National Athletes’ Committee
- Amarilla Veres, Paralympic champion
- Pál Szekeres, Olympic and Paralympic champion
After the panel discussion, the much-anticipated logo of the bid was unveiled on a 300 square metre flag draped from the iconic Chain Bridge. The logo represents the vitality of Budapest’s bid: at its centre is the Freedom Statue, with the fresh waters of the Danube at its feet, surrounded by the celebratory warmth and openness of the Hungarian personality.
The bid’s official online presence and social media channels are also being launched.
