Conclusion: Impact of 1956 Revolution & Mass Defections on Punishments
Ultimately, the difference in the punishments that Szűcs, Kádas, Bender and Gyarmati each received illustrates a real shift in tactics on behalf of the state, and the sport leadership. After 1956, it became imperative for the Hungarian socialist state to repair its image, and regain the public's trust - or at least their passive acceptance of the status quo. Using sport stars like Benedek and Gyarmati enabled the state to do this, and to continue proving the worth of the socialist sport system vis-a-vis the rest of the Eastern bloc and the West. In the eyes of the sport leadership, giving these men softer punishments most likely seemed a fair trade-off.