Dávid Nagy: The Olympic champions' memorial board is running out of space!

Aren't you afraid to carry your medal around the city?

I am, a little bit. I haven't even decided where to keep it. Today I parked my car a bit farther away and it didn't feel comfortable to walk here with the box in my hand. Fortunately, I'm not recognised by many people, and tried to be safe with my hat and sunglasses on.

What was the topic of the meeting with the Rector?

We talked mainly about fencing, the beginning of my career, then the main stages and in more detail about the Olympics itself: how that particular day went, how it was different from other competitions. I also talked about my teammates, and then of course we got into the studies, because you can't leave that out of a university conversation. I said that my intentions had not changed, that I would still try to finish my studies as soon as possible. I only have three semesters left.

Gábor Kincses, director of the BME Physical Education Centre, Hassan Charaf, Dávid Nagy and Tamás Koltai, GTK Dean

What will this one be like?

I was surprised to find out that this semester is actually already done. I had already completed all my subjects, so the only one I had to take was physical education. Next semester I will have some compulsory subjects that I didn't manage to complete during the Olympic qualification period because I didn't have enough time and energy. After that, I'll have my internship to do.

So you haven't had any classes yet in the new academic year. Too bad, I'd be curious to hear how an Olympic champion is received by his fellow students and teachers.

I haven't had such an experience yet. I wandered around a bit at the main entrance of building K, looking at the board with the list of Olympic champions, and no one came to me, so my incognito was working. It felt good to see my name there, but noticed that if other athletes were to collect titles, we'll slowly run out of space!

May that be our biggest problem. Coming back to your studies, have you thought about an Msc?

Yes, and the Rector has indicated that if I get through the bachelor's degree, the university will welcome me with open arms to do my master's here. So I feel the subtle pressure, but I don't have a problem with that because I really like the university, I feel appreciated here, so if it works out I think I will come here for a master's.

Which course would you apply for?

I don't know at the moment. My focus has been on fencing lately, now I need to get back into my studies. I need to do an internship gaining some real-world experience, and based on that I hope I can decide what interests me the most.

Is the rest period still on in your sport?

Yes, my coach and I have agreed to have a longer break: we have achieved a lot and put a lot of energy into it. I can feel that I'm tired and exhausted from the past year, and I have to give my body what it deserves. I'll also have a quick surgery to do before I go back on the piste. In the meantime, I'll be recharging from my Olympic memories. You really only understand what the Olympics mean when you have experienced it. This will stay with me for a long time, and I'm sure I can draw strength from it come difficult times.

Is the surgery you mentioned a major operation?

No, it's a femoral head problem, I've had it for a year or two. It hurts a bit sometimes, but nothing serious, I've been able to train and compete with it. But something has to be done about it and now is the time.

Do public appearances bother you since coming back from Paris?

I wouldn't say so. I'm happy to sign autographs, take photos when I'm asked, I like the love of people. Probably also because the presence of Hungarian fans in the hall at the Olympics made a big difference. For us fencers, this is especially important, because the supporters at our competitions are mostly family members, friends and fellow athletes. On the contrary, in paris sometimes even the home fans were being outroared by ours.

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