Hungary second most successful at European Maccabi Games

Hungary was the second most successful country after the US in terms of medals won at the European Maccabi Games held in Budapest, Tamás Deutsch, president of sports club MTK and chairman of the board of patronage of the games, said on Wednesday.

The 15th European Maccabi Games has been the biggest multisport event in Hungary, with 2,311 athletes from 42 countries participating, including record-many 208 Hungarians, Deutsch told a press conference. The US won 75 gold, 43 silver and 37 bronze medals and the total 100 medals won by Hungary made the country the most successful European country at the games. They were followed by Germany, the UK and Latvia, he said.

Deutsch said

the games had been organised with state support of 4.9 billion forints (EUR 15m) but it resulted in 1.5 billion forints in tax revenues and 5 billion forints revenues for economic players.

He added that the government had reiterated its promise to build a Jewish sports centre in Budapest and its construction is expected to start within the next few years.

Source: MTI