Former Swimmer Alleges Pedophilic Abuse by Legendary Coach Tamás Széchy, Sparking investigation
budapest, Hungary – A former Hungarian national swimmer has come forward with serious allegations of pedophilic abuse against the late legendary swimming coach Tamás Széchy, igniting a firestorm within the Hungarian sports community and prompting the Hungarian Swimming Association to establish an investigative committee. Tamás Batházi, a former national team swimmer himself, has detailed what he describes as “pedophile methods” employed by Széchy, who coached numerous Olympic champions.
Batházi’s claims,which have reportedly prompted ten anonymous victims to share their experiences as the publication of a recent book about Széchy,paint a disturbing picture of abuse. According to Batházi, széchy would invite young boys and adolescents, as young as 10-12 years old, to his office under the guise of offering them new bathrooms. Once there, Batházi alleges, Széchy would force the children to undress and engage in “self-indulgence in their presence.” The report further states that older swimmers who refused to “cooperate” faced severe repercussions,including being removed from the national team,denied access to training camps,and barred from international competitions.
Adding to the gravity of the allegations, Batházi has publicly named a specific victim, a former swimmer who now holds a leadership position in sports. Batházi expressed his disappointment that this prominent sports diplomat has not yet addressed Széchy’s alleged actions, despite the numerous victims who have come forward. He asserted that the coach’s sexual harassment was an “open secret” within the swimming community.
The allegations have resonated with other prominent figures in Hungarian swimming. Katinka Hosszú, a three-time Olympic champion, posted on social media, without naming Széchy directly but clearly alluding to the late coach, stating, “Pedophilia has no place in universal sports in any form, no level – in the coaching career, in the leadership or in the background.”
In response to Batházi’s statements, Sándor Wladár, president of the Hungarian Swimming Association, initially dismissed them as “slander” being circulated by the former Secretary General. Though, following further revelations and the establishment of an investigative committee, the association has committed to examining the behavior of Tamás Széchy towards his former athletes.The controversy has emerged in the wake of the recent publication of “Life – Work – Heritage,” a book intended to commemorate Tamás Széchy, who passed away in 2004. The book, authored by Széchy’s former students Csaba Sós, András Hargitay, and Ákos Tóth, aimed to celebrate the coach’s significant contributions to Hungarian swimming, under whom his students secured nine Olympic gold medals. This situation brings to light broader discussions about scandals within Hungarian swimming, as previously explored in a longer article.