Ireneusz Raś, Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism from Trzecia Droga-PSL, admitted in “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24 that neither he nor his political circle knew that Prime Minister Donald Tusk would declare Poland's efforts to organize the Olympic Games. He added, however, that “nothing stands in the way” of supporting this idea. Małgorzata Niemczyk, MP of the Civic Coalition, a former volleyball player, said that the possible organization of the Games would be an “incredible driving force” for Poland.
– Poland will formally make efforts to organize the Olympic Games – the Prime Minister said on Friday Donald Tusk at a joint press conference with the Minister of Sport and Tourism Sławomir Nitras. As the head of government said, “the real perspective, taking into account the initial decisions, commitments, declarations of the International Olympic Committee”, is 2040 or 2044.
Declaration on the Games. Deputy Minister of Sport: I Didn't Know About It Before
This topic was discussed by the guests of “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24 – Ireneusz Raś, Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism from Trzecia Droga-PSL and Małgorzata Niemczyk, MP of the Civic Coalition, former volleyball player.
Raś was asked whether, as Deputy Minister of Sport, he knew that the Prime Minister would make such a declaration.
– To be honest? Well, I didn't know. My political circle didn't know either. There's nothing to stop us from considering the heartfelt support of this project by Prime Minister Tusk. There are arguments in favor – he replied. He added that he accepted the idea “with interest”.
– We in the coalition will not take offense. Only – if this idea is to be implemented seriously – we want to see what happens next. Because this should be followed by certain specific actions, starting next year – he added.
At the same time, he recalled that Poland has already organized a major sports event in the past, such as the European Football Championship in 2012. – We have experience, I have experience, Prime Minister Tusk has experience from Euro 2012. It is, one could say, the fourth largest event in the world in terms of organization. So we, as Poles, are not unprepared, inexperienced – he argued.
Niemczyk: Organizing the Olympic Games Can Be an Incredible Flywheel
Małgorzata Niemczyk, a member of the parliamentary sports committee, confirmed that she also did not know in advance that the prime minister would make such a declaration. – But we knew that the Ministry of Sport was working on a project, on what the president loosely threw out during the election campaign Andrzej Duda. We knew that Minister Sławomir Nitras was considering it. And I know that there were meetings with the International Olympic Committee. And it seems to me that a common understanding was found somewhere – she said.
The MP said that the possible organization of the Olympic Games would be an “incredible flywheel”. – We are talking about a 16-year, 20-year period. For me, my wish would be for it to take place in Warsaw, in 2044, when we will have the hundredth anniversary of the outbreak of the Warsaw Uprising, when we could tie all these events together beautifully. And the International Olympic Committee likes such anniversary clasps, with which it can tie its events together – she said.
She added that the investments made in preparation for Euro 2012 were also a “great leap”. – In addition, we need a fashion for sports, a fashion for movement, a fashion for activity. I am convinced that this type of games can bring about this. We really are facing a great reform of the entire sports system, but not only sports, but also physical education, physical culture. Because we have to start with movement from kindergarten – said Małgrzata Niemczyk.
Main image source: TVN24