2 days ago
Poland's ex-president Duda set to join International Olympic Committee
WARSAW – Andrzej Duda, who stepped down as Poland's president after 10 years, is set to join the International Olympic Committee (IOC), signaling a new chapter in his public career.
The Polish Olympic Committee reportedly voted overwhelmingly to recommend Duda for IOC membership, and the IOC is expected to approve his membership during its next annual session, RMF FM reported.
Duda was succeeded as president by Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist aligned with the ruling PiS party, who narrowly defeated pro-European candidate Rafał Trzaskowski from Prime Minister Donald Tusk's Civic Platform in the June 1 election.
Before the election, media reports suggested Duda harbored ambitions to succeed former IOC head Thomas Bach, although that role traditionally goes to former athletes. The position is currently held by former Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry.
If confirmed, Duda will join other former regional leaders involved in Olympic structures, such as former Estonian president Kersti Kaljulaid, who became president of the Estonian Olympic Committee in October 2024.
RMF FM also reported that Duda plans to establish an international think tank aimed at connecting political and business leaders from Central and Eastern Europe.
(de)
