Together on the road to victory

The University of Pécs welcomed the students and their coaches who represented Hungary and the University at the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in a ceremony held on 7 October in the Senate Hall of the Rector's Office. At the event, the participating athletes were praised not only for their outstanding sporting achievements, but also for their commitment and perseverance, values that are exemplary for the university community.

At the event, Dr. Attila Miseta, Rector of the University of Pécs, said, „Elite sport is not for everyone; many people do not have the necessary skills or stamina. You are an exception and

a role model for everyone, because you show how far you can go with perseverance and will.

I hope you are having fun in the process."

At the ceremony, the Rector stressed that

the university is proud to have been awarded the title of Hungary's most athletic university for the past two years, which is also thanks to the support of elite sport.

„We try to provide our students with as many sporting opportunities as possible," said Dr. Attila Miseta, adding that although the infrastructure is not always ideal, significant improvements have been made in recent years, such as the renovation of the Stadion Street wrestling hall.

Although sport in Hungary is not yet as integrated into university life as it is in the US or UK, UP does its best to support its athletes. The rector thanked all the athletes and those who supported them, adding that the results achieved not only enhance the reputation of the athletes but also of the university.

Dr. József Bódis, President of the Universitas Quinqueecclesiensis Foundation, also greeted the athletes and their coaches, highlighting their commitment and perseverance. In his speech, he stressed that behind the athletes' achievements lies a lot of hard work, talent and coaching expertise.

„Anyone who gets to the Olympics does not get there by chance, they have worked hard for it," the President stressed.

He also highlighted the results achieved in the field of para-sport, in which Pécs athletes have always achieved brilliant success. He remembered Uncle Tolja, i.e. Anatolij Petrov, who played a significant role in the development of para-sport in Pécs and whose work has led to international successes for Pécs athletes.

The Olympic champions and their coaches were also greeted by Attila Lengvárszky, Director of the UP Directorate for Academic Affairs, who, quoting Steven Covey, emphasized that success lies in being able to achieve and even surpass a previously achieved result again and again.

He explored the importance of university sports in four dimensions: heart, mind, soul, and physicality. He explained that sport not only promotes physical health but also the development of human relations, learning and values. The director mentioned that the University of Pécs supports sport and learning hand in hand, providing scholarships and mentoring programmes for its students.

„The University of Pécs has created the possibility that today we no longer have to choose between sport and studying, but can manage it together... Our achievements are not only the success of the students but also of the university," he said.

Finally, he shared his personal experiences, highlighting his own involvement in the university's fitness movement and his pride in wearing the Olympians' suit jacket, showing his support and respect for sport.

Who we can be proud of:

Our Paralympians:

• Alexandra Szabó, a student of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the UP, who achieved 11th place in the individual boccia competition, coached by Zoltán Szappanos.
• Zsófia Konkoly, para-swimmer, student of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Work, UP, who won gold medals in 400 m freestyle and 200 m medley, silver medal in 100 m butterfly, and 9th place in 100 m backstroke, coached by Árpád Jancsik.
• Bence Iván, para-swimmer, a student of the UP Faculty of Sciences majoring in coaching, who finished 11th in the 200m medley, coached by Árpád Jancsik.

Our Olympians:

• Réka Pupp, a judo player, a student of the UP Faculty of Sciences, majoring in physical education, who achieved 5th place in judo in the 52 kg event, coached by Ákos Braun.
• Ádám Jászó, swimmer, student of Computer Engineering at UP Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, who finished 19th in the 100 m backstroke and 8th in the 4x100 freestyle relay, coached by Máté Turós.
• Krisztina Garda, a student of UP  Faculty of Sciences majoring in coaching who finished 5th with the women's water polo team, coached by Gerda Brezovszki.

The University of Pécs is justly proud to be considered the most athletic university in Hungary. This title is due not only to its outstanding athletes, but also to the fact that the institution places great emphasis on the sporting opportunities for students, the promotion of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, and the dual career model.

More details: https://egyetemisport.pte.hu/pte_sportiroda