This document discusses the role of athletes in social change in Hungarian society. It provides an overview of the characteristics of East European capitalism after 20 years of transition from state socialism. It examines society's current expectations of sport and sport's expectations of society in the 21st century. It analyzes how the Hungarian case fits into theories of social capital and considers whether there is a role for athletes to drive social change in Hungary. The conclusion notes that fully establishing freedom and democracy in a post-communist society can take 60 years or more.