BUDAPEST — This is from someone who lives in Los Angeles: it is a pity that Budapest dropped out of the race for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Democracy is what it is. The will of the people is what it will be.

But if these first few days of the 2017 FINA world championships are any indication, and they are, Budapest would make a great stage for a Summer Olympics.

“First of all, well done, Hungary,” the Australian national swim team coach Jacco Verhaeren said at an opening news conference.