Erik Siklós, director of marketing and communications at the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB), says Budapest is a "dynamic city" with a history of "delivering great events," where Olympians are "heralded as national heroes." Siklós answered a series of questions about the city's qualifications and chances of winning its bid to host the 2024 Games in the first of a five-part SBD Global series with bid city representatives. We start with Budapest, and will continue, in alphabetical order, with the rest of the bidders: Hamburg, L.A., Paris and Rome.
Q: What do you think makes your city the best choice for the IOC?
Erik Siklós: Budapest is a dynamic city that unites modern infrastructure, historic beauty and great sports venues. We also have a track record of delivering great events. More and more visitors flock to Budapest every year to experience the beauty, creative arts and culture flourishing in the city. We have a strong sense of identity and prize both the old and the new… all of this in a city and country that is “right sized” for the Olympic and Paralympic Games -- delivering great experiences for athletes and other Games participants.
Budapest is a city that knows how to enjoy itself. Sport runs through our veins and Olympism is at home in Budapest. Our Olympians are heralded as national heroes like no other and our sports system recognizes all Olympians for life.
The Celebrations to mark the 120th anniversary of the founding of the Hungarian Olympic Committee are a reflection of our sporting pedigree and pride in our city and our relationship with the Olympic Games. We would be honored to host the Games for the first time in Budapest and for the first time in the region.
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Q: Paris and L.A. are the early frontrunners. Why do you think that is? And what can you do to overcome this perceived advantage?
Siklós: We are honored to compete for the Games alongside cities of the stature of Rome, Hamburg, Los Angeles and Paris. We have decided to compete because we believe with passion that we can host a truly exceptional edition of the Games. Our task is to bring that vision to the global Olympic movement, to demonstrate our capability, confidence and commitment. We're conscious of course that an Olympics bidding process is a marathon rather than a sprint!
Q: How important were Thomas Bach’s “Agenda 2020” reforms in your decision to bid for the Olympics?
Siklós: We share the enthusiasm that has greeted the launch of Agenda 2020. The Agenda 2020 reforms create an opportunity for many more cities around the globe to aspire to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Budapest’s journey to 2024 will inspire many other cities. Our Games plan embraces the core tenets of Agenda 2020 and meets all requirements that ensure excellent Games.
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Erik Siklós
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Q: Cost overruns have been a big issue with recent and future Olympics, i.e. Sochi and Tokyo. What measures would you put in place to control spending?
Siklós:
We have carefully studied recent hosting arrangements and we have also reflected on our own experiences where the “on time and on budget” philosophy has been central to our delivery of both sports venues and major events.
With the full backing of our Government and the City of Budapest we are crafting a highly deliverable Games plan with careful attention being paid to risk mitigation. This includes a strong financial planning and management capability.
We applaud the steps taken by the IOC under the Agenda 2020 initiatives to make all hosting requirements completely clear and to increase the level of support to bid cities and hosts to ensure that the plans to meet these requirements can be delivered in a sustainable manner. This is good for the Olympic Movement and for host communities. Transparency is a key to our bid.
Q: What are the biggest issues facing your bid?
Siklós: Our current focus is on putting together an exciting and deliverable Games plan. We believe that this is the foundation of our proposition to the IOC. This is a plan that puts athletes and their overall Games experience at the center of our work. We are encouraged by the new bid process that allows progressive exploration of Games solutions with the IOC. This dialogue will strengthen all cities' plans and will ensure that Games requirements are met.
Q: How would you classify your chances in the race for the 2024 Olympics?
Siklós: I think that we are like Krisztina Egerszegi prior to the 200m backstroke final in Seoul in 1988; or like Puskas and Hungary in London prior to the legendary 6-3 football match against England in 1953! All we must do is to work hard, be clear and committed, and take the chance IOC had offered that allows us to participate as equals in the contest. We are hugely looking forward to it.
