A sweeping reform of Hungarian sports laws has been passed by the country's Parliament that will see the National Olympic Committee lose many of its powers and roles as decisions are instead made by the Government ©MOB

A sweeping reform of Hungarian sports laws has been passed by the country's Parliament that will see the National Olympic Committee lose many of its powers and roles as decisions are instead made by the Government.

The move, seen as a show of power by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban following a disappointing performance at Rio 2016, comes as Budapest bids for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

Until now, the Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) had taken sole control of budget planning and allocation for all aspects of sporting apparatus.

This includes appointing Presidents and other senior positions within Olympic Federations.

New changes approved by a large majority of legislators, however, mean that these decisions will now fall to a Government department.

The changes are due to come into force on January 1, 2017. 

It effectively reverses a shift towards adopting a more wide-ranging NOC model similar to those seen in European nations including Italy and Denmark.

The shift will see the MOB focus back on "classic" NOC responsibilities relating more specifically to Olympic preparations and related commercial and marketing ventures.

Budapest 2024 bid leaders, pictured during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, claim the changes will not affect their bid ©Getty Images
Budapest 2024 bid leaders, pictured during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, claim the changes will not affect their bid ©Getty Images

In a statement, Budapest 2024 claimed to support the changes and vowed to continue their good relationship with the MOB.

"The Budapest Bid looks forward to continuing good relationships with our friends at the HOC, the Government and the City of Budapest," said bid leader Balázs Fürjes.

"We are united in the quest to secure the honour of hosting the 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

"The vision of an Olympic Games in Budapest in 2024 is a source of great national pride."

It remains to be seen, however, whether the change will incur the wrath of the International Olympic Committee, who have strict rules about NOC autonomy and independence from Government.

Hungary finished 12th on the medals table at Rio 2016 with eight gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

insidethegames has contacted the IOC for a reaction.