President Andrzej Duda tapped as candidate for International Olympic Committee

The Polish Olympic Committee approved the recommendation of President Andrzej Duda for membership in the International Olympic Committee. The decision was confirmed by PKOl President Radosław Piesiewicz in an interview with Fakty po południu reporter Michalina Czepita.

"At today's board meeting, the board of the Polish Olympic Committee approved the recommendation of President Andrzej Duda," he explained. "29 members were in favor, four were against, and six abstained. So, the candidacy was approved by a majority vote," he added.

Asked if the president had already been officially informed about this decision, Piesiewicz replied, "No, we haven't had the opportunity to inform the president yet."

The PKOl chief also expressed hope that "at the next IOC session in March, before the elections for a new IOC president, President Andrzej Duda will be confirmed as a full member of the IOC."

He also explained why Duda was chosen for the nomination. "First of all, the president is someone devoted to the Olympic movement. That greatly helps the Polish Olympic Committee. But it’s also important to remember that he navigates very well in international structures," Piesiewicz stated. Asked about the possible scope of Duda's duties, he said that was a question for the IOC president.

One of the members of the board who participated in the meeting told the Polish Press Agency (PAP) that the board approved the resolution recommending President Andrzej Duda, but "such a point was not on the agenda."

"It appeared at the very end as part of the 'current affairs' section. No one knew beforehand that such a resolution would be voted on," the PKOl board member reported.

The PKOl board consists of 60 members. "Many board members were absent today," noted the PAP source.

Speculation has been ongoing about what the president will do after completing his term. Andrzej Duda's term as president ends in August 2025.

The first IOC session after that date, at which he could be elected as a member of the IOC, is scheduled for February 2026 in Milan, during the Winter Olympics. However, there is no formal obstacle to electing the sitting head of state. A session will take place in Greece in March 2025, but the main item of the meeting will be the election of a new president to replace Thomas Bach, who will be stepping down. Seven candidates will present themselves at a special IOC session in January.

Currently, the IOC has 111 members, and the maximum allowed is 115.

The current Polish representative in the IOC is Olympic medalist Maja Włoszczowska, who has been serving on the IOC Athletes' Commission since 2021 and holds member status based on this role.

The last full member from Poland was Irena Szewińska, who held this position from 1998 until her death in 2018. Before her, other Polish members of the IOC included Prince Kazimierz Lubomirski (1922-30), Ignacy Matuszewski (1928-39), Stanisław Rouppert (1931-46), Jerzy Loth (1948-61), and Włodzimierz Reczek (1961-2004).

Candidates are elected for an eight-year renewable term. IOC members elected between 1967 and 1999 can serve up to 80 years of age, while those elected after 1999 can serve until the age of 70.

Among the 115 members, 70 are not associated with any specific position or office, 15 represent athletes, 15 come from the heads of global sports federations, and 15 are drawn from individuals holding leadership roles in national Olympic committees or their continental associations.

The first to report the recommendation for Duda was Przegląd Sportowy Onet.