During an appearance, the President of the Polish Olympic Committee stated that the committee bears no responsibility for Olympic results. In Paris, Polish athletes earned 10 medals, marking the worst total in 68 years, with the sole gold won by Aleksandra Mirosław in sport climbing.
Media reports claimed that Radosław Piesiewicz and his family used the VIP area at Warsaw Chopin Airport 35 times and were escorted to their plane by a limousine.
There were alarming claims: a wife of a high-ranking official was allegedly attacked on the street because she was linked to public funds. The spoken concern was to clarify a transfer to the Polish Olympic Committee dating from April 2024, as discussed on a TV program.
– Piesiewicz noted on the program “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24.
Piesiewicz faced sharp criticism in recent days, with accusations including misuse of public funds.
Under the previous leadership of Polish airports, a fast transition procedure for athletes was arranged. Some athletes traveled with the President, and a sum reportedly connected to his family was transferred. The speaker asserted the need to close the matter.
– he stated.
Piesiewicz: Whose money funded Nitras and his entourage at the Olympic Games?
There were claims of worse conditions for athletes under his watch compared with POC supporters. Sport minister Sławomir Nitras criticized Piesiewicz and demanded an explanation of how public funds given to the Polish Olympic Committee were spent.
The speaker claimed personal payment for his own business and family travel, while arguing that Nitras and his team funded their Paris trip either from their own pockets or from state resources.
– He asked.
– He added that he acted in accordance with the law. Guests are always invited to the Olympic Games. No person or board member is deprived of state funding.
– He added.
In 2021, Polish athletes won 14 medals at the Tokyo Games, including four golds. Nine of those medals were earned by athletes who had previously won only one medal in the French capital. Natalia Kaczmarek finished third in the 400 meters.
– He recalled. He noted that medal counts are a longstanding aspect of Polish sport and reflected that Tokyo showed a larger total than Paris, though the Paris results were still a point of concern.
Piesiewicz appeared in photo shoots with prominent Polish athletes ahead of the Games. Later, his image appeared on advertising alongside tennis star Iga Świątek, sprayer Ewa Swoboda, and volleyball player Magdalena Stysiak, which drew mixed reactions from fans.
– He asserted that he works hard each day for the Polish Olympic Committee and seeks to ensure athletes have full comfort. He accepted participating in the sessions and did so willingly.
– He stated.
The President of the Polish Olympic Committee contends that the modest medal showing in Paris does not reflect his personal responsibility or influence over Polish sport. He argued that failure in sport is an issue for the broader system and not simply the committee’s remit.
– He said.
We must ask who is accountable for Polish sport. The Polish Olympic Committee says it does not control preparation or results.
– He replied.
Minister Nitras asserts that the Ministry and the State Finance Department transferred 92 million PLN of public money to the Polish Olympic Committee during 2022-2024.
– He explained that funding comes as sponsorship rather than donation and that quarterly reports are provided on project execution. Part of the money is donated directly to Polish sports clubs.
– He added, noting his role as president of the Polish Basketball Federation as well.
During a TVN24 interview, he started to challenge Minister Nitras.
On March 14, the Polish Cukier National Food Group announced involvement with Pogoń Szczecin. This followed Nitras’s political ties since he is a member of parliament there. Within a week, sugar prices fell and the group ended contracts with the Polish Basketball Federation. A resignation letter from the Polish Olympic Committee followed, describing political interference in decision-making. The claim was that a single politician was trying to control outcomes. The Minister of State Property was also questioned about these moves.
– He asked.
“Polish sport will not be intimidated”
He accused the Sports Minister of exceeding powers. The organization asserted its independence and alleged that the minister used threats to influence funding decisions. The committee warned it would inform the IOC of the minister’s actions. The stance was that Polish sport should remain free from intimidation.
– He declared.
In the early 2000s, Piesiewicz was active in political circles. Politicians from the Civic Coalition suggested ties to other parties, though he claimed no party affiliation. The Polish Olympic Committee lists a board including notable athletes, and the statement was made that sport should stay nonpartisan.
Reports by journalists from a major Polish portal revealed details about the financial profile of Piesiewicz’s family, including a high monthly income. He described his wife as a private citizen and asked for an end to the personal attacks on his family. He emphasized that there should be no public distress over private matters.
In April 2023, he assumed the presidency of the Polish Olympic Committee, which carried various debts. He asserted that financial settlements with the State were in line with contractual terms and questioned whether the minister should bear responsibility for certain financial procedures.
After the October parliamentary elections, he contemplated changes to the committee’s statute to extend his term to eight years, a move he said had been proposed by multiple board members in the past. Looking back, he acknowledged it may have been a misstep. His term is set to expire in three years.
The Polish Olympic Committee maintains that it bears no responsibility for Olympic results. He signaled plans to seek re-election in 2027 and argued that in many international sports bodies, an eight-year term is standard. The discussion also touched on the funding and sponsorship framework that helps smaller associations thrive, including examples where sponsorships supported broader development. The outfits used for the Paris Games were supplied by Adidas, replacing a previous supplier, and a significant portion of the apparel arrangements were described as a benefit.”
tkwl/PAP