huolympics1-4, Exercise 3: Hungary and Britain compared

Model answer:

Water polo began in Britain, which won early Olympic titles, but it now has a low profile there. In Hungary it is a mainstream sport with big television audiences, crowded matches and national news coverage of results.

Two possible reasons: Hungary has long had a network of pools and clubs, many linked to the bath culture and the Danube, giving the sport a base; and early international success created a tradition and heroes (Gyarmati, the 1956 match) that kept it in the public eye. In Britain, other team sports took the attention. These are suggestions and should be checked.