Hungary swimming coach resigns after rape conviction emerges

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) Laszlo Kiss, coach of Hungary's national swimming team, has resigned after it was revealed that he was one of three men convicted in a 1961 rape case.

Kiss said Thursday in a statement that he was leaving in the interests of Hungarian sports and because his health was shaken by the disclosure of his conviction to three years in prison.

Kiss professed his innocence, saying that his conviction came at a show trial based on trumped-up charges. Kiss had coached the women's team since 1993 and the men since 1999. He also trained five-time Olympic champion Krisztina Egerszegi.

The Hungarian Swimming Federation, whose board and coaching committee had unanimously reconfirmed Kiss in his post on Wednesday, is expected to deal with his resignation next week.