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Budapest polgármestere , Gergely Karácsony javasolta , hogy a város tárgyalásokat kezdjen a MOB-bal és a MPB-vel az olimpiai játékok rendezéséről. Fontos felmérni az esemény hatásait a városra, de nincs szükség új sportlétesítményekre. A lakosság véleménye központi szerepet kapna, ezért népszavazást javasolnak.
Translation
The Mayor of Budapest, Gergely Karácsony, proposed that the city start discussions with the Hungarian Olympic Committee and the Hungarian Paralympic Committee about hosting the Olympic Games. It is important to assess the event's impact on the city, but there is no need for new sports facilities. The opinion of the public would play a central role, therefore a referendum is suggested.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: Who proposed that Budapest start discussions about hosting the Olympics?
Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, proposed it.
Question 2: What is suggested to ensure that people’s opinions are considered regarding the Olympic bid?
A referendum is suggested to make sure the people's opinions are considered.
Exercise: Vocabulary
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▌25/10/2024
In a significant move, Budapest's Mayor Gergely Karácsony has proposed that the city's council begin discussions with the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) and the Hungarian Paralympic Committee (MPB) about potentially hosting a future Olympic Games. In making this proposal, the Mayor stressed the importance of assessing the impact such an event would have on the city's infrastructure, public spaces, and housing crisis rather than focusing on constructing new sports facilities.
The initiative came after the MOB and MPB extended a request to the city's leadership for a collaborative exploration of the possibility of hosting the Olympics. The committees clarified that this is not an official bid, nor does it involve any obligation to pursue the hosting rights for the games. Instead, it is a preliminary step in understanding the feasibility and potential impact of hosting such an event in Budapest.
Karácsony indicated that while Budapest does not need additional large-scale sports facilities, the benefits of urban development and investment associated with the Olympics could provide significant advantages. However, he emphasized that any decision to pursue an Olympic bid should involve the voice of Budapest's residents, suggesting that a referendum be held to gauge public opinion on the matter.
Budapest Mulls Potential Olympic Bid Amid Discussions (Illustration)
At the core of these discussions is the question of whether the Olympic Games could be hosted in a way that aligns with principles of sustainability while offering clear benefits to Budapest and Hungary. The MOB anticipates that by 2026 a public report could be prepared, evaluating these aspects comprehensively.
The idea of hosting an Olympics has been a longstanding dream of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has expressed his desire to see the Games held in Hungary in previous statements. However, past initiatives aimed at securing an Olympic bid met with opposition from local groups, notably the Momentum party, which previously campaigned against such plans, arguing that the decision should be made through a national referendum.
With potential decisions by the International Olympic Committee concerning the hosting of the 2036, 2040, and 2044 Games, the prospect of a Budapest Olympics remains distant, especially with plans already in motion from countries like India. Moreover, the IOC's consideration of continental rotation for hosting adds another layer of complexity.
As discussions progress, the focus remains on understanding how a possible Olympic bid could coexist with Budapest's urban development strategies, ensuring that the interests of the city’s residents are prioritized while exploring this international opportunity.
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