Magyar News, 1995. szeptember-1996. augusztus (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1995-10-01 / 2. szám
Speaking as someone who has in the past hosted foreign students from Columbia for six months, Germany for a year and the Netherlands for three weeks, I can say without reservation that the member of the Hungarian Special Olympic Delegation represented their country admirably. Not only were they successful in the competitive arena, each and everyone of the delegation, athletes, coaches, trainers and other members included, were true “gold medal” ambassadors for their country. Some examples of this ambassadorship presented themselves to me while the delegation was visiting Quassy Amusement Park the afternoon following their arrival. An afternoon enjoying the rides and games, followed by food and a disc jockey was scheduled in conjunction with other delegation from about seven to ten countries with their host town committees. While the majority of the athletes and others mingled about the park, a small contingent of the Hungarian coaches, trainers and other members along with some of the Host Town Committee members lounged at a picnic table sharing a couple of beers, toasting eachother and singing some silly songs. During this time a number of close friendships began to form already on the second day of the delegations visit. As I prepared to leave the picnic table, I noticed the two female pmg pong players, Matild Rendes and Ildikó Horvath, with two young gentlemen from the Italian delegation. The girl’s Italian escorts motioned for me to come over and please take their pictures, which I gladly did. The girls were all giggles and clearly embarrassed, but they eventually posed and were later rewarded with copies of the photograph as one of their memories of their visit to Connecticut. Shortly after this, I found myself watching several of the Hungarian athletes enjoying themselves on the bumper cars. As the ride ended, István Szívós, one of the basketball players, practically accosted me eagerly motioning for me to join him on the next ride. I quickly joined him, all the while wondering how he knew that the bumper cars are my favorite amusement ride. I can truly say that I had a special time that afternoon. Later the same evening, a conceit on the town green was held. What amazed me were the number of Hungarian and Naugatuck townsfolk, both young and middle aged, who were dancing like crazy. Everywhere I looked there were pockets of Hungarians intermingled with Townsfolk. Were it not for the red, white and green PAGE 6 SPECIAL HUNGARIAN AMBASSADORS By Paul C. Harrison, Transportation Chairperson outfits of the delegation one could not tell the difference. Truly international relations at an Olympic level, and this even before the games had begun. Again that evening I felt special thanks to my decision to become involved with the Host Town effort. Another example of the entire delegations ambassadorship occurred the morning of their last day in Naugatuck. In an effort to show their appreciation of everything that the town had done to make their stay so special, they insisted on walking down the main commercial strip of town to give “something” back to the townspeople. This included a stop at town hall for an impromtu meeting and photo with the mayor out in front of the building. Numerous other stops were made along the way to meet and greet the folks of Naugatuck who happened to be out and about. While there were about seven or eight persons helping the Host Town Committee with interpreting, more often than not no interpretation was needed as the delegates eagerly expressed both thenappreciation and their sincere interest during these encounters. That special feeling was once again beginning to well up inside of me thanks to my Hungarian “friends”. Lining up for a ride at Quassy Father Rakacki, pastor of Holy Trinity doing the interpretation Holding the Hungarian flag with th 3 Mayor of Naugatuck
