Ádám Schimdt, the state secretary for sports, in his opening speech thanked the Spanish and Belgian presidencies for their work and pledged the Hungarian presidency’s determination to build on their achievements.

Schmidt noted that Hungary is experienced in organising large sporting events, and the government felt it was important “to look at the long-term effects of those events in society”.

Meanwhile, the government sees nurturing health through sports as important an issue as elite sports, and has launched a programme to promote community sports, a ministry statement quoted him as saying.

Georg Häusler, the Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport in the European Commission greeted the meeting on behalf of the commission.

Former President Pál Schmitt, honorary member of the International Olympic Committee, introduced the panel discussions.

The panel discussion on the social effects of large sports events was held with the participation of Ágnes Ancic-Valkai of Hungary’s International University Sports Association (MEFS), Lilla SzÍjj of the Hungarian Olympic Committee, Anita Urr, secretary general of the Hungarian Paralympic Committee, Gábor Schmidt, a deputy state secretary of the defence ministry, and Sándor Wladar of the Hungarian Swimming Federation.

Addressing another panel, Márton Gyulai, the sports director of World Athletics, talked about the effect of large sports events on the economy, community building and on promoting healthy lifestyles.

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