“The flame of excellence keeps burning in Budapest”

In his speech, Minister of Prime Minister’s Office Gergely Gulyás highlighted that the new headquarters is a milestone not only in the life of World Aquatics, as Hungary, too, can regard it as a significant success in sports diplomacy.

“Hungary is an aquatic nation – without seas. In the history of the Olympic Games, Hungarian water polo players won the most gold medals, while our swimmers ranked fourth” – the minister said, adding that the groundbreaking ceremony has a message for future generations, since “the flame of excellence keeps burning in Budapest”. He noted that the capital city already hosts several international sports federations such as the International Judo Federation and the International Canoe Federation, and with the Budapest headquarters, World Aquatics will further strengthen its position in international sporting life.

In an interview to defence.hu, MoD State Secretary for Sport Dr. Ádám Schmidt called the investment project a historic success in sports diplomacy. As he said, “it is of huge significance that the largest sports federation in the world with 210 partner nations intends to relocate its headquarters to Budapest.” This will help not only sports diplomacy but also professional work: it may give fresh momentum to all aquatic sports, the rising sports may develop, while swimming and water polo may maintain their world-class character.”

Kuwaiti sports diplomat Husain Al-Mussalam, President of World Aquatics formerly known as FINA (International Swimming Federation), emphasized that the building whose inauguration is scheduled for mid-2028 “will not only be a headquarters but also a hub of sports science and workout development.” As he said, the construction of the complex will significantly strengthen the relationship between the organization headed by him and the government of Hungary, Hungarian sports science and the academia.

Southblaze Ltd. founder and CEO Péter Zentai recalled that the relocation agreement between the Hungarian state and World Aquatics was signed in 2023, along with the approval of the initial concept design of the building. Since then, Southblaze Ltd. has reimagined and refined the plans, so the updated concept has received the support of the Hungarian state, the 13th District Local Government and Budapest Municipality.

Talking to defence.hu, three-time world champion swimmer Dániel Gyurta also emphasized that the decision is a huge recognition for Hungary. “We will bring together aquatic sports from around the world between the East and the West, in the heart of Central Europe. The traditions of Budapest and the new headquarters will open up new possibilities for the further development of Hungarian sports” – he said.

By securing the project, the Hungarian capital has outperformed London, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Sakhir, Bahrain, which shows the international weight of Hungarian sports diplomacy. According to plans, the new hub will not only operate as an administrative center but also as an international training, research and educational base. Among others, the groundbreaking ceremony was attended by former President of Hungary Pál Schmitt, Honorary President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee; Sándor Wladár, President, Hungarian Swimming Association; Zsolt Gyulay, President, Hungarian Olympic Committee; Norbert Madaras, President, Hungarian Water Polo Federation; and József Tóth, Mayor of the 13th District of Budapest.