The European Olympic Committee (EOC) awarded the Hungarian University of Sports Science (TF) with the EOC Olympic Laurel Award. TF is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The university, founded in 1925 under the name of College of Physical Education (TF), received the prestigious recognition at the EOC General Assembly held in Frankfurt on Saturday, 1st March. The university's Rector Professor Tamás Sterbenz, accepted the award from the organization's Greek president, Spyros Capralos.
The event was attended by Zsolt Gyulay, president of the Hungarian Olympic Committee (HOC), who nominated the university for the award, as well as László Fábián, HOC’s Secretary General, and Dr Balázs Fürjes, the Hungarian member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). IOC President Thomas Bach and all seven candidates for the IOC presidency. also attended the event. During the award ceremony, it was announced that the EOC will hold its General Assembly in Budapest next year.
Several Hungarian sports leaders have already received the prestigious European Olympic Laurel award from the EOC. In 2017, Rezső Gallov, former Secretary General of the Hungarian Swimming Federation, Canadian water polo captain, former President of the National Sports Office, and former Vice President of the Hungarian Olympic Committee (HOC), was honoured. In November 2021, Dr Jenő Kamuti, Olympic silver medallist, world champion fencer, chief of surgery, President of the Hungarian and International Fair Play Committee, Athlete of the Hungarian Nation, and a member of the HOC Executive Board, received the award. In 2022, Pál Schmitt, two-time Olympic champion fencer, Athlete of the Hungarian Nation, honorary member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), honorary President of HOC, former President of Hungary, was recognized. In 2023, Zoltán Molnár, former Secretary General and executive director of HOC, and President of the Hungarian Coaches Association, also received the award.
The Hungarian University of Sports Science is one of the most important institutions in Hungary for training teachers, coaches, and sports specialists. It opened its doors in November 1925, thanks to the efforts of Kuno Klebelsberg, former Minister of Culture. At the same time, the Physical Education College Sports Club was founded, which today operates as the prominent club called TFSE. This award recognizes all the work done by the university as a scientific foundation, contributing to the Olympic successes of the past century.
The role of TF in global sports and the Olympic movement is evident from the fact that over the past century, a total of 151 Hungarian Olympic champions who studied or are still studying at TF have won 209 gold medals. In total, 308 Hungarian Olympic medallists have graduated from the institution. This is further strengthened by the fact that TF has produced 249 Hungarian master coaches for Hungarian sports, who have helped domestic athletes achieve numerous Olympic medals. Additionally, it is worth noting that the university's International Coaching Program is supported by the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Solidarity program.
In 1975, on the 50th anniversary of its foundation, TF was granted university status. In 1985, it became a fully accredited university, and in 1989, it was officially renamed a university. In 2000, on its 75th anniversary, the institution operated as the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Semmelweis University. However, the faculty model proved disadvantageous for the training of sports specialists in Hungary, and this was resolved in 2014 when the Hungarian Parliament decided to amend the National Higher Education Act. As a result, from September 1, 2014, the institution continued as an independent university under the name University of Physical Education (Testnevelési Egyetem).
Over the past few decades, the institution has undergone significant changes, expanding in content while retaining its original mission of providing university-level physical education teacher training for both secondary and higher education institutions.
Today, nearly 3,000 students study at the university, which takes pride in the fact that, as Rector Tamás Sterbenz put it, almost every Hungarian sports success is backed by TF expertise. Lajos Mocsai, Chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees, believes that TF is one of the most important institutions for the survival of the nation.
Photo by EOC
