Hungary Eyes More Olympic Glory in Canoeing at Paris Games

Hungary's canoeing team, historically rich in Olympic medals, is set to compete in the Paris Games. With a 16-member team including former champions, the sport remains Hungary’s most successful Olympic endeavor. The federation aims to attract more athletes and promote canoeing as both a competitive and leisure sport.

Hungary, a land-locked country, has surprisingly become a powerhouse in water sports, particularly in canoeing, with a rich history of Olympic success. This year, a 16-member Hungarian team is participating in the Paris Games, featuring notable athletes like Olympic champions Tamara Csipes and Balint Kopasz.

"Canoeing is among the sports in Hungary with the richest history, with a federation that's over 80 years old and encompassing around 200 clubs," said Balint Szakacs, managing director of the Hungarian Canoeing Federation.

Although not the most popular sport domestically, canoeing has achieved immense Olympic success, trailing only fencing. With 86 Olympic medals so far, the federation hopes for more podium finishes in Paris. "We'd be happy with four medals, but we focus on promoting canoeing as both a high-performance and leisure sport to inspire more people," Szakacs noted.

(With inputs from agencies.)