"I wish all such a beautiful end and so many Olympics! I still don't really feel what I have achieved over the years!" Cseh said. It was the fifth Olympics of the six-time Olympic medalist.Continue reading
A swimming pool in Törökbálint will be named after Olympic silver and bronze medalist swimmer, László Cseh. The legendary swimmer recently retired after the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
László Cseh’s achievements, presence, and endless sincerity have motivated and inspired many children and adults in Törökbálint to play sports, swim, and live healthier lives. Laci’s impact on the sport life of the city is priceless,”
said Mayor Sándor Elek. He also mentioned that Cseh started his career and practices at the Törökbálint pool with his coach, Zsolt Plagányi, who still preps his pupils there.
Even though Cseh doesn’t have an Olympic gold medal, he is one of the best Hungarian swimmers of all time. He is a two-time world champion and a 33-time European champion. The reason for the lack of Olympic gold is that he and American swimmer Michael Phelps were competing together several times during the peak of their careers, and it was always Phelps who won first place. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Phelps, Cseh, and Chad le Clos of South Africa all tied. This three-way tie for second place was an unbelievable moment in swimming history, however, the Singaporean Joseph Schooling won the gold medal, leaving Cseh with another silver.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Cseh came in seventh in the 200m medley. He did not add another medal to his collection but he was satisfied with the way he closed his career.
“I wish everyone such a beautiful closure and so many Olympics!”,
he said in an interview.
The winner of the 200m medley, China’s Wang Shun, bowed to Cseh after his last competition. This gesture was another sign of Cseh’s wonderful career and Wang’s recognition of him. Last year, ‘Swimswam’ even named Cseh the best swimmer of all time who has not won an Olympic gold medal.
Tuesday night, the necessary paperwork for the name change of the pool was filled out at the Törökbálint Sports Center. László Cseh, Sándor Elek, and the director of the sports center, Ildikó Konrády, were all present.
Featured image via Tamás Kovács/MTI