Horvath rides wave ofa nation's expectations

By Balazs Koranyi  |   2008-6-19  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

AN OLYMPIC medal is the only one missing from Viktor Horvath's collection and ?? given Hungary's modern pentathlon heritage ?? success for the 30-year-old in Beijing is almost a requirement.

The 2007 world and European champion admits he is feeling the pressure. "I'm an Olympic newcomer and I feel the burden, I just hope I don't crack," Horvath said.

Hungarians have won 21 Olympic pentathlon medals, more than any other country except Sweden which dominated the sport in its early years.

"From the cradle onwards we learn that we're winners and we're always confronted with our predecessors' legacy," Zsuzsa Voros, the defending women's Olympic champion, said.

Hungary's pentathlon glory days crested during the 1960s and 1970s and despite fading since the end of communism the country has medalled at every Olympics over the past half-century except for the Los Angeles Games in 1984, which it boycotted.

Modern pentathletes compete in shooting, fencing, swimming, horseriding and running - all the skills required by a 19th century cavalry soldier.

In the 1950s, Hungarian authorities pumped money into sports and the first generation of pentathlon champions helped to encourage the next. In the 1960s, Andras Balczo won five consecutive world titles.

"Hungarian kids grow up in an environment where we always fight for gold," said Antal Kulcsar, head coach of the women's national team and a coach since 1977. "Some people see a bronze medal as a medal won. We see bronze as a gold lost."

The secret has been good coaching, a wide talent pool and the relentless work of past greats.

"There isn't another sport where all the legends, all the past champions come together to help future generations," Miklos Palvolgyi, the head coach of the men's team said.

The sport has struggled in recent Olympics. The event was first shortened to 1 day from 5 days and then the team event was scrapped.

The International Olympic Committee even considered axing modern pentathlon from the Games because not enough nations participated, but decided in 2005 to keep it on the program at least until 2012.

"Pentathlon is not a TV-friendly sport and if a sport is not good for TV, it is worthless for sponsors," Horvath said. "And let's be honest, sports are about money now."

Voros said dropping pentathlon would be a disgrace. "This would be the humiliation of the Olympic spirit," she said. Other Hungarians believe it is rooted too deeply in the Olympic movement to be removed.

For now, Horvath is concentrating on recovering from a calf injury that forced him to pull out during the last event at the world championships in Budapest earlier this month.

Despite his injury, confidence remains high in the Hungarian camp. "We will bring home a medal, that much I can almost guarantee," Martinek said.