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Today, the official press conference for the 2025 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix was held at the Danubius Hotel Helia. International and Hungarian athletics stars, along with event organizers, shared their thoughts ahead of Tuesday’s highly anticipated competition.

The event was moderated by Dávid Székely, host of M4 Sport.

Opening Remarks – Welcomes and objectives

During the opening speeches, Péter Deutsch, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, and Attila Spiriev, Sports Director of the event, outlined the main goals and new features of this year’s competition.

“The Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix is a celebration of Hungarian athletics. We are extremely proud that, alongside the Formula 1 Hungarian Grand Prix, this is the only event that Hungary has managed to host every single year over the past 15 years, regardless of circumstances,” said Péter Deutsch in his introduction. “I would like to quote two statements I came across in connection with this event. One is that ‘global superstars and Hungarian heroes will share the same stage’ – which I believe is quite accurate. The other is from Anna Tóth, U23 European Championships silver medalist, who said that ‘competing in front of a home crowd is an uplifting experience.’ These words perfectly reflect how we feel just 24 hours before the competition begins. The lineup of international stars and Hungarian champions promises extraordinary performances. This year, the Gyulai Memorial moves to its third-ever venue, taking place in the National Athletic Center in Budapest. We are deeply grateful to the city of Székesfehérvár, which hosted the event for the past 11 years and gave us countless unforgettable memories and achievements. Hosting the event at the National Athletic Center is a special opportunity. We have curated a competition program where every part of the stadium will see world-class performances. We are pleased to announce that tickets are practically sold out – meaning a full house of 14,000 spectators will witness the action. As for Hungarian athletics, 2025 has already brought remarkable achievements: Attila Molnár became European indoor champion, the men’s 4x400m relay team claimed a brilliant bronze at the World Indoor Championships, and just recently, our juniors excelled at the U20 European Championships with three golds, one silver, and one bronze medal. This confirms the value of the individual talent management programs promoted by the Hungarian Athletics Association. Over the past 14 editions, the Gyulai Memorial has become deeply integrated with Hungarian athletics – nearly 400 Hungarian athletes have competed in international events at the meet. On August 12, stepping into the National Athletic Center will be a moment of joy and pride as the legend continues in 2025. Let’s go, Hungarian athletics!”

 “First, I would also like to congratulate our medalists and finalists from the U20 European Championships. On Tuesday, we are expecting an outstanding field with world champions, Olympic gold medalists, and world record holders – alongside Hungary’s top athletes. We are in for some thrilling battles, and I’m curious to see who will win the Best Hungarian Male and Female Athlete awards, as well as the Dr. Bojidar Spiriev Trophy for the best performance of the meet” said Attila Spiriev, who introduced the athletes with his trademark expertise and thoroughness.

International Superstars

A highlight of the press conference was the appearance of globally renowned athletes Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, Femke Bol, and Kishane Thompson, who spoke about their current form, past experiences in Hungary, and the significance of the Gyulai Memorial in their careers.

Femke Bol: “A lot has changed since I first competed here – I’m older, more experienced, and less nervous before races. What hasn’t changed is my motivation and inspiration. I have wonderful memories of Budapest – the stadium is amazing, and the fans are fantastic. I’m feeling great after returning from a training camp, and I hope to be in peak form, which will show in my performance.”

Armand Duplantis: “I feel fresh – physically and mentally. I’m in good shape and hope that shows tomorrow. For pole vaulters, wind conditions are important, but this is a large stadium, and I expect favorable conditions. I’ve heard there will be little to no wind and high temperatures, which actually benefit me. I have great memories of Budapest – I won the world title here, which was magical. I hope to deliver another great performance for the fans tomorrow.”

Kishane Thompson: “Budapest is a really pleasant venue – I feel great here. It’s an amazing feeling to be called the fastest man in the world. I’ve avoided injuries and I’m in excellent shape. Regarding the 9.84 meet record, I’ll give it everything I’ve got tomorrow.”

Hungarian Champions

Local favorites Bence Halász, Boglárka Takács, and Attila Molnár spoke about their preparations for the Olympics and World Championships, as well as the benefits of competing on home soil.

Boglárka Takács: “I’ve had the honor of racing alongside Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce at the Gyulai Memorial – it’s always a privilege. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I’ve already competed in Diamond League events, which gave me valuable experience. I hope to surprise even myself with a time I wouldn’t have expected. I’m sure the atmosphere will be fantastic, and with the energy of the crowd, anything is possible.”

Bence Halász: “I’m pleased with my recent competition in Banská Bystrica – it went well. We changed some aspects of my preparation earlier this year, and it has proven to be the right decision. My consistency is improving, which was missing in previous seasons. For me, the National Athletic Center is the number one stadium – the field, the throwing circle – everything is ideal. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s competition.”

Attila Molnár: “The past two months have felt much longer than they actually were. I made my return at the national championships in early August after an injury, but I’m now at 100%. When I think of the National Athletic Center, the first thing that comes to mind is my national record run and the unforgettable atmosphere of the World Championships in Budapest. I now share the national record with Patrik Enyingi, but I hope to lower it even further – perhaps as soon as tomorrow. I’ve heard the event is sold out, which gives me an extra boost of motivation.”

The Competition

The 2025 Gyulai István Memorial – Hungarian Athletics Grand Prix will take place on Tuesday, August 12. Alongside world-class international stars, numerous top Hungarian athletes will also compete. The event will be broadcast live on M4 Sport and streamed online at m4sport.hu. With all tickets sold out, the National Athletic Center is expected to host a full crowd of nearly 14,000 spectators.

For further information and the full schedule, visit www.gyulaimemorial.hu or the event’s Facebook page.