Kristof Milak reportedly skipped local television interviews and the post-race press conference after winning Olympic gold in the men’s 100 butterfly on Saturday, extending a year-long streak of silence with Hungarian media.
The 24-year-old Hungarian has experienced harsh treatment in his home country since pulling out of the 2023 World Championships, saying he “hit rock bottom” and needed to “recharge his batteries.” Coaches and media alike ostracized Milak for missing training sessions over the past year and showing a lack of dedication toward his Paris Olympic preparations.
Although he couldn’t hold off French star Leon Marchand (1:51.21) in his signature 200 fly event earlier this week, Milak got redemption in the 100 fly by rallying past Canada’s Josh Liendo (49.99) for the victory in 49.90. Despite a thrilling comeback finish, Milak barely cracked a smile after his win, which improved upon his runner-up finish behind Caeleb Dressel a few years ago in Tokyo.
“He’s a bit more than special — very special,” Hungarian national team coach Csaba Sos said. “I don’t have any idea why he doesn’t speak because he’s doing the same with Hungarian media. I was a swimmer, and when I competed, I loved to talk.”
Sos called out Milak last December, claiming he hadn’t done any meaningful work for months. Sos also said he was still in the dark about why Milak missed half a year. As recently as the Mare Nostrum Tour in May, Hungarian trainer Balazs Virth was still criticizing Milak by saying “his endurance is far from what it used to be.”
In the 100 fly, Milak was a couple tenths slower than his 49.68 from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. In the 200 fly, he was exactly half a second shy of his 1:51.25 from Tokyo.
Milak wasn’t around to share his perspective on his comeback, so reporters asked Canadian bronze medalist Ilya Kharun about him.
“I thought he was going to be really mean at first,” Kharun said of Milak. “All these rumors and stuff, but he was actually really nice. He was very supportive.”
I’m surprised he hasnt decided to switch nationality already . Its crazy
Probably can’t find a slot when his coach isn’t talking to the media about him
A lot of comments about hungarian media and press but Milak is also just introverted by nature. He’s just a quiet guy.
Plenty of time Milak, come be Australian.
OH GEEZ YEAH I WONDER WHY
Also If Hungry doesn’t want him we will take him 🇺🇸
Italy would like to have him too.
Geez, I wonder why he didn’t want to talk to the media? How utterly confusing it is after they talked sh*t about him for months on end.
Champion. 🏅
Kharun’s comment is both sad and a perfect example of why Milak refused to talk to them.
I ask to people more knowledgeable aboit Hingary then myself if any of this is a sort of remant of the authoritarian Eastern bloc days? This attitude by the coach and press feels very old
Everything negative about Hungary is a remnant of the authoritarian eastern block days unfortunately.