EU presidency: sports officials discuss large sporting events at Budapest meeting

The Hungarian EU presidency has started work in the area of sports with a two-day meeting of sports directors of the European Union in Budapest focusing on the heritage of great sports events and sports as a way of promoting healthy living.

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 Haeusler, the Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport in the European Commission greeted the meeting on behalf of the commission. Former President Pal Schmitt, honorary member of the International Olympic Committee, introduced the panel discussions.