IOC President receives Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland from President Duda
IOC President Thomas Bach was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland today, during a visit to Warsaw. The medal is Poland's highest civilian award granted to foreigners or to Poles resident abroad.
In the ceremony at the presidential palace, Polish President Andrzej Duda thanked the IOC and President Bach for "developing sport all around the world, not only for sports organisations and events, but especially for the athletes."
He continued: "Thank you for your cooperation with the United Nations on the Sustainable Development Goals, and for bringing sport closer to everyone and allowing everyone the chance to compete on a level playing field."
Responding to the Polish Head of State, President Bach praised the impressive performances of the Polish athletes at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and spoke of the prominent role of sport in Polish society and in the Olympic community.
Warsaw | Poland
IOC President, Thomas Bach receives the Grand Cross of the order of merit of the Republic of Poland
Photograph by IOC/Greg Martin
"Your athletes, your great sporting history and the role of sport in Polish society make Poland a reliable and valued member of the Olympic community. Your athletes illustrate in the best possible way that we can only go faster, we can only aim higher, we can only become stronger, if we stand together in solidarity."
The Polish Order of Merit was created in 1974 and is awarded to “friends of the country” who have rendered great service to Poland.