European Aquatics Championships: According to Sándor Wladár, hosting the event is advantageous even without spectators

– Does it hurt that you'd never been given the opportunity to swim at a world competition in Hungary?
– It's an interesting point, said Sándor Wladár, president of the Hungarian Swimming Association (MÚSZ), and Olympic champion in Moscow. I've never received this question before, but as I think about it, the answer is clear: I'm sad I missed it out in my career. It would've been nice to live through what it feels to swim in front of Hungarian people in a sold-out arena.

– As a former swimmer, do you think a domestic event is a blessing rather than a curse?
– Absolutely– it could only give so much to the athletes.

– There are still some who get beat up by a situation like this.
– If one falls short of expectations in a domestic world competition, that is not why they perform worse. There are other reasons for which a separate study could be written. If we wanted to emphasize it more, we could say that the swimmers get the same uplifting feeling of competing on home ground as spectators cheer on the stands. Being a champion in Hungary is very different from being a champion in a distant country. Standing on the podium there, athletes cannot experience what they have in Hungary in their own environment. Of course, there are a lot of people watching them through television screens, and maybe the swimmers can feel that. They also know that they've earned their country glory, but it's completely different when the domestic atmosphere is both crazy and emotional in the arena. As I speak, I keep thinking about the question: I am truly sad that I didn't have this opportunity. It is a such privilege, an opportunity for the current athletes.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE STOMACH CRAMPS

– Even if this time the European Championships is held without spectators?
– Yes, because the Hungarian environment, the Hungarian people around them, the representatives of the Hungarian media, and the service personnel are an advantage.

– Although we have held the World Junior Championships, World Cups, and many more competitions since your appointment, this is your first adult world competition as president and director. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic and the “bubble” system have set the bar high.
– I'm not saying I don't have stomach cramps at all... If there were no pandemic, we could've organized this European Championships much easier. Also, the government's announcement that we could actually host it was too late. Moreover, it's not easy for us since 51 nations out of the 52-member European Swimming League have indicated their participation. Let me tell you: we thought that were good when we reached the number 40 of nations participating. Overall, 140 teams represent themselves in four disciplines in Budapest.

– Why do you think there is so much interest?
– Because the athletes, the coaches, the staff all know that they are safe here. We have the best vaccination rate in Europe, and because they know that the Hungarians are good organizers, this gives the participants a sense of security.

GETTING IN TOP SHAPE IS IN PROGRESS

– Although sports events can be visited again with an immunity certificate, the European Aquatics Championships will be behind closed doors. Why?
– When we had to make this decision, which was a little over a month ago, we were still in the thick of the pandemic. When considering the advantages and risks, we decided to host the continental competition without spectators. We could not decide otherwise at the beginning of April. Let us not forget that we are preparing for the biggest European sports event of the last 14 months, so I'm convinced that it was the right decision at that time. It is another matter that if we had to decide now, I would vote in favor of hosting it with spectators. One more thing: regarding the decision made earlier, the main aspect was safeness, and not who has an immunity certificate.

– Since we've mentioned your sports career, let's bring another parallel. How do you get in top shape regarding hosting the event?
– It's going well, but it means there are no fixed working hours. We work even 14 hours a day to host the event successfully. We go to Lake Lupa quite frequently as well.

– Speaking of Lake Lupa. The water temperature was nine degrees Celsius not too long ago. How will it go up to at least 16?
– I was afraid of it for a long time, but I think we'll get that 16 degrees. Along with Lake Lupa, we pay attention to the Duna Aréna, the accommodation, and everything else. I'm not saying that no one is worried, but everyone wants the same, and it gives some peace of mind.

MAGIC MIRROR ON THE WALL...

– Do you think FINA manager Tamás Gyárfás who has been suspended because of his criminal case will show up at the event?
– Tamás Gyárfás can give an accurate answer to this. Though I believe that FINA's written decision, which suspends him from visiting all sports events organized by FINA and its member organizations until his criminal case is closed, must be respected since FINA is the main decision-maker on these subjects. I am sure that the former president of the Hungarian Federation will make a wise decision in his uncomfortable situation.

– Will the president be standing on the poolside cheering for the swimmers or will he be checking where to do what as the organizer?
– If I see that my team is working well, I will be able to cheer. Besides, I think it's better not to interfere in anything during the competition; I would be just a distraction factor there. My colleagues have proven a lot of what they can do, and the European Championships is also their matter of the heart. They're perfectionists, so I might even sit on the stands and cheer on the contestants as a simple spectator. I hope there will be a reason to be happy. I feel like we're going to get quite a few golds, and we're going to have a fair number of medals. The performances in Budapest will be a kind of mirror that foreshadows our potential Olympic success in Tokyo.