The 100th
anniversary of the
Polish Olympic Committee
In 2019, the Polish Olympic Committee (POC) celebrated its centennial. Exhibitions, meetings with Olympians, and sports tournaments were held throughout the country to mark the occasion. These events were organized under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda.
The highlight of the celebration was the Centennial Gala at the Grand Theatre-National Opera in Warsaw on October 26, 2019. The celebration attracted 1,700 people from all over the world – Olympians, Olympic medalists, athletes, coaches, and sports activists.
President Andrzej Duda was the Guest of Honor. Also seated in the Stand of Honor were the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Thomas Bach, the Head of the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the late Dr. Janez Kocijančič, and the Minister of Sport and Tourism, Mr. Witold Bańka.
Numerous foreign guests were present in the audience, including delegations from the other 49 European National Olympic Committees that attended the General Assembly of European National Olympic Committees held in Warsaw, figures from the cultural, scientific and business communities, POC sponsors, representatives of local government bodies and local organizations associated with the Olympic Movement, friends of the Polish Olympic Committee, and journalists.
POC Centennial medals were presented to President Duda, Dr. Bach, Dr. Kocijančič, and Minister Bańka during the event.
Anita Włodarczyk – Our outstanding hammer thrower, was awarded her gold medal from the Games of the XXX Olympiad in London by IOC President Dr Thomas Bach. Anita was award the gold medal retroactively due to the disqualification of her rival for using a prohibited substance. She was visibly moved as the Grand Theatre Orchestra and Chorus performed the “Mazurka Dąbrowskiego” and those in attendance gave her a standing ovation.
EOC General Assembly
The Polish Olympic Committee organized the 48th EOC General Assembly on October 25-26, 2019. Delegations from the 50 European National Committees met in Warsaw. The Assembly was preceded by a meeting of the EOC Executive Committee, whose membership includes POC President Andrzej Kraśnicki.
