Hungarian Skating Federation issues apology to China

The Hungarian National Skating Federation (MOKSZ) and Hungarian Olympic champion short track speed skater Csaba Burján both presented apologies following insulting comments of the latter against China, according to official statements here.

“The Hungarian National Skating Federation took the necessary steps following the behavior of a member of the Hungarian Short Track Speed Skating Team: Csaba Burján Olympic champion, which was insulting towards China. The athlete apologized to Zhang Jing, the head coach of Hungarian short track speed team from China,” MOKSZ announced in a statement, adding that a disciplinary action had also been initiated against the athlete.

Burján himself also presented his apologies on the federation’s official website: “I sincerely regret that with my reckless action, I have put my head coach Zhang Jing, the Hungarian Short Track Speed Skating Team, and the Hungarian National Skating Association into a demeaning position.”

“Although I didn’t want to hurt China, nor the Chinese people, I admit that I portrayed a situation in an offensive manner – and as an Olympic champion, I should be even more responsible for my words and actions,” he added.