The bill received substantial support in the Sejm, the lower house of Poland's parliament, on Wednesday, with 425 votes in favor, none against, and 19 abstentions.
This legislative change marks a pivotal shift in sports funding in Poland, aiming to support both the elite athletes and also those who are essential to the sports community but do not always stand in the spotlight.
The amendment, set to take effect from January 1, ties sports stipends to the national minimum wage, which is currently PLN 4,300 (around EUR 1,000, USD 1,100) gross per month. This is a shift from the fixed stipend amount of PLN 2,300 that had been in place since 2005.
Sports Minister Sławomir Nitras said during the session that the increase in stipends and prize money for championship events is crucial to prevent athletes from abandoning their sports careers due to financial difficulties.
He promised swift implementation of the necessary regulations once the bill is signed by the president.
The revised stipends and awards are not just for top performers but extend to athletes who place fifth to eighth in competitions, reflecting a broad-based approach to supporting the sports ecosystem.
Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists will receive a one-time award of PLN 100,000 (USD 25,600), with their coaches getting PLN 25,000 (USD 6,400).
Silver and bronze medalists and their coaches will also see substantial rewards.
The amendment will also apply retroactively to athletes participating in this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.
The upper house, the Senate, is scheduled to discuss the amendment on Thursday, and the new rules are expected to be signed by President Andrzej Duda by the end of the week.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP
