Bid for 2024 Olympics needs responsible decision, says Borkai

Budapest (MTI) – Hungary must take a decision about submitting a bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games in a responsible way, following thorough preparations, the president of the Hungarian Olympic Committee said in an interview published by sports daily Nemzeti Sport on Sunday.

Zsolt Borkai was asked about the committee’s Friday decision on proposing to the country and Budapest an assessment of a possible bid to host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

The decision was made in the light of the International Olympic Committee’s recently approved Agenda 2020 reform package that eases conditions on organising Olympic Games.

“The IOC has decided that after 2020 it wants cheaper games that pay off.  This kind of economical Olympics will be a revolutionary change overall, and a historic chance for Hungary,” Borkai said.

But Hungary first needs to make a feasibility study and gauge the public’s opinion to “take the right decision,” he said.

An Olympic Games is not only a sporting event, but an economic and social issue as well, he said, adding that Hungary should only submit a bid that is economically feasible and enjoys public support.

“If any of these criteria is missing, Hungary must not submit a bid,” Borkai said.

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters