Hungarian Olympic coach Tamas Szechy passed away at the age of 73 at his home in Budapest from an undetermined cause. Szechy, a visionary coach that led his swimmers to a total of 17 Olympic and 21 World Championship medals, was easily the most successful coach in the history of the Hungarian swimming program.

Among those under the tutelage of Szechy was Tamas Darnyi, the most successful male IM swimmer in Olympic history after winning both the 200 and 400 IM in successive Olympic games (1988 and 1992). Hungary's IM legacy continued in 1996 with another Szechy protegee, Attila Czene, winning the 200 IM in Olympic record time.

1996 was a particularly good year for Szechy's squad, as Norbert Rosza finally became golden in the 200 breaststroke after a double silver performance in both breaststrokes in 1992.

Szechy's mark on Hungarian and international swimming has been indelible, and he will be missed by his friends and colleagues in the swimming world. We here at Swimnews extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and Hungarian swimming in this difficult time.