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IOC weighs options after Polish Olympic Committee chief's arrest: media

31.08.2026 15:30
The International Olympic Committee has outlined possible scenarios for resolving a crisis at the Polish Olympic Committee after its boss, Radosław Piesiewicz, was detained for three months following allegations of influence peddling, according to Polish media.
Radosław Piesiewicz
Radosław PiesiewiczKaśka33, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The onet.pl news outlet said it had obtained an internal letter sent to members of the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl), outlining three possible scenarios, including the suspension of Polish athletes from the Olympic Games.

The letter, written by Tomasz Chamera, deputy head of the PKOl, said the IOC had recommended three ways of addressing the crisis following Piesiewicz's detention.

The first and most favorable option would be for Piesiewicz to resign as head of the Polish Olympic Committee, Chamera wrote, according to onet.pl.

He said this would resolve the IOC's concerns about the situation.

However, Chamera said such a step was unlikely because Piesiewicz has denied the allegations and claimed he was the victim of a political campaign.

As a second option, Chamera said the PKOl's governing bodies could suspend or dismiss Piesiewicz.

He said a board meeting would be required and that the committee's bylaws allow for dismissal "due to damage to the organization's reputation or inability to continue in the role."

The third scenario, which Chamera described as the "most risky," would involve direct intervention by the IOC.

"If the Polish Olympic Committee fails to resolve its issues independently, the IOC may suspend our membership," Chamera wrote, according to onet.pl.

Such a suspension could prevent Polish athletes from competing in the Olympic Games, including the Youth Games, he said.

(pu/gs)

Source: PAP