Sports and politics should not mix; as far as is possible at least. This is politics in the international sense, intercountry relations rather than the myriad of seedy political deeds conducted by sports governing bodies; not mentioning any names or places. Or World Cup bids.

There are times however, when sports and politics which should run parallel, collide like an old scalextrics track. These moments often serve as seminal junctions in a conflict, the “Miracle on Ice” or Jesse Owens in Berlin.

The Cold War very often only saw its combat in sporting arenas rather than battlefields. The Olympic Games being the proverbial Stalingrad for the US and USSR. 1956 will not be solely remembered for the Melbourne Olympiad, successful as they were. In October of that year a student protest in Budapest quickly escalated into a revolt against the Soviet puppet government in Hungary. The revolt seemed to be successful and Hungary, a country to which communism had never truly taken, celebrated. Their hopes and revolt were crushed however on November 1st as Soviet tanks, legislated under the Warsaw pact, rolled into Budapest. Moscow’s control restored.

Water Polo is Hungary’s national sport, they have won gold at the Olympics more times than any other nation, including a three in a row in Sydney, Athens and Beijing. During the uprising the stars of the national team were evacuated to a training camp and knew little of what had happened in the streets of Budapest. When they arrived the players knew the rising had been crushed and Hungary was once more on its knees to its masters at the Kremlin. The players saw the Olympics as a way to salvage national pride.

One of the players, Ervin Zador, remarked after the tournament:

“We felt we were playing for the whole country.”

The most iconic moment in Hungarian sporting history and indeed water polo history involves this team and Zador. As it would happen the USSR would be pitted against Hungary in the semi finals. This was the perfect opportunity to take on the might of the Soviet Union on a more level playing field.

Water Polo is a violent sport at the best of times, under water kicks, punches and grabs are commonplace and taken as part of the game. This game however was, perhaps understandably, particularly violent.

The game went all the way of the superior Hungarians and they led 4-0 in the dying minutes. Zador, who had already contributed two goals, was caught marking Soviet hardman Valentin Prokopov, with whom he had already exchanged words. Prokopov punched Zador in front of the main grandstand, filled with predominantly ex-pat Hungarian supporters. The punch caused a gash on the cheek of Zador which began to pump blood.

The crowd were so incensed that riot police were deployed to maintain order and shepherd the fans from the arena. Pictures of Zador, who would miss the final due to the cut, as he left the pool, blood dripping from his face and onto his chest, were published worldwide.

This gave way to the “Blood In The Water” moniker which is how the game has become to be referenced in popular culture.

After defeating the Yugoslavs 2-1 in the final many of the Hungarian players sought refuge in the West. What they left behind was a legacy of hope. The USSR may have been stronger militarily and could suppress the nation with tanks and bullets but they would never take away the thing Hungarians loved most; their sport, water polo.

Daire O’Driscoll, Pundit Arena.

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