POLAND: Poland plans to submit a proposal to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, competing against Indonesia, Mexico, and India. President Andrzej Duda announced the proposal after consultations with the Polish Olympic Committee, Minister of Sport, and the government.
Poland has never held a summer or winter Olympic Games but did host the multi-sport European Games in Krakow and Malopolska this summer.
According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Brisbane is set to host the 2032 Olympic Games, with Mexico, Indonesia, India, and other Gulf cities potentially joining for 2036 bids. Mexico and Indonesia have publicly expressed interest, while Turkey and Hungary are also potential bidders.
European Olympic Committee (EOC) Executive Committee member Hasan Arat believes Poland has the potential to organize high-quality international sporting events.
The European Games, overseen by the EOC, host nearly 7,000 athletes in 26 sports over 12 days every four years. “From everything the EOC saw there, Poland is well qualified to host the Olympic Games too,” Arat added.
The IOC has made regulation changes, eliminating an official campaign or open bidding procedure. Candidates and the IOC hold secret discussions before recommending a city for the IOC assembly for a vote. The IOC typically announces its Summer Olympics decision seven years in advance.
Kamil Bortniczuk, Poland’s sports minister, believes the country has a significant chance of landing the Olympics in the future. Bortniczuk emphasized that hosting the 2023 European Games has made a significant step towards securing the nation’s capabilities as a multi-sport event host.
The 3rd European Games, held in Kraków, Poland, from June 21 to July 2, attracted 370 participants consisting of 188 men and 182 women. With 12 days of competition in 29 sports, the 2023 European Games offered gold medals and a pathway to the 2024 Olympic Games.
The competition took place in 25 locations in 13 southern Polish cities, attracting over 7,000 competitors from 48 nations.
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