They argued on Friday that the proposed changes were designed to enhance the position of athletes, with a particular focus on supporting women in sports.
Sports Minister Sławomir Nitras said that, by sending the bill to the Constitutional Tribunal, Duda was acting in the interest of sports officials rather than athletes.
The legislation aimed to give athletes real influence over sports organizations and increase the presence of women in these bodies, state news agency PAP reported.
Nitras accused Duda of failing to consult with athlete representatives who had actively supported the bill.
Konferencja na temat decyzji Prezydenta RP Andrzeja Dudy w sprawie nowelizacji ustawy o sporcie z udziałem Ministra Sportu i Turystyki Sławomir Nitras
Opublikowany przez Ministerstwo Sportu i Turystyki Piątek, 27 grudnia 2024
He also said that Duda blocked planned new rules that would have guaranteed greater rights for female athletes, including protection during pregnancy and after childbirth.
Despite the president's move, Nitras said his ministry would work "in line with the spirit" of the measure approved by parliament.
Athletes decry president's move
Duda's decision was also criticized by Justyna Kowalczyk-Tekieli, until recently Poland's top cross-country skier.
"The worst Christmas present we could have received," the retired two-time Olympic champion commented on social media.
I po świętach⬇️ Zawodniczko/Zawodniku, Apelujemy o Twoje wparcie! Prezydent Andrzej Duda skierował do Trybunału...
Opublikowany przez Justyna Kowalczyk - oficjalna strona Piątek, 27 grudnia 2024
Kowalczyk-Tekieli called on the sports community to support the legislation, saying that the changes were intended to strengthen the position of women in sports and align Polish laws with international standards.
She argued that athletes are not fighting for privileges but for "normality" and equality.
Her appeal was supported by other prominent Polish sports figures, including tennis player Magda Linette, volleyball player Joanna Wołosz, retired mountain biker Maja Włoszczowska, and retired pole vaulter Monika Pyrek.
Former NBA basketball player Marcin Gortat and ex-racewalker Robert Korzeniowski also joined the initiative.
Duda referred the bill to the Constitutional Tribunal, citing concerns about the requirement to include more athlete representatives and enforce mandatory female representation on sports organization boards.
The proposed changes had long been supported by prominent Polish female athletes, who even collaborated to record a special video appeal advocating for the amendment.
(mp/gs)
Source: PAP/MSiT/X/@monikapyrek/Facebook.com/Justyna Kowalczyk