Hungary’s Head Coach Returns To Post After Call From Prime Minister

by Retta Race 2

January 11th, 2016 Europe, International, News

Just 4 days after Hungarian National Team Head Coach Laszlo Kiss resigned from his role amid a conflict between superstar swimmer Katinka Hosszu and her nation’s swimming federation, the 75-year-old coach has returned to his post.

Hosszu’s held a somewhat controversial press conference last week at which the world record holder vocalized her criticism of the Hungarian swimming federation for failure to support its athletes,

“While the Hungarian Swimming Federation expects world-class performances, the support they provide is far from world-class level,” Hosszu said in that press conference.

Additionally, Hosszu reportedly tore up a contract with the federation providing her money in exchange for promoting the 2017 World Aquatics Championships, which the city of Budapest, Hungary will host. Hosszu named Hungarian Swimming Federation President Tamas Gyarfas in that press conference, along with Kiss. The Hungarian National Team Coach since 1999, Kiss announced his resignation shortly after the press conference.

However, Hungary Today is reporting that, after receiving the support of 110 colleagues, including Krisztina Egerszegi, 5-time Olympic champion and former swimmer under his tutelage, Kiss reconsidered his decision and has since returned to his position. It is reported that Kiss also received a personal phone call from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who asked him to reconsider his resignation.

On Sunday, Gyarfas informed the state news agency MTI that Kiss had decided to indeed return.

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Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

It is good to have a leader who cares about swimming . no? I just cannot wait for Bobo’s meltdown if Donald Trump wins . It is going to be eternally CLASSIQUE.

Gina Rhinestone
8 years ago

Orban must have read my post about theOttawa based Hungarian Free Press backing Hosszu & said “That is it “.

About Retta Race

Former Masters swimmer and coach Loretta (Retta) thrives on a non-stop but productive schedule. Nowadays, that includes having earned her MBA while working full-time in IT while owning French 75 Boutique while also providing swimming insight for BBC.

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