A group of athletes and officials led by President Andrzej Duda took part in the gathering just over three weeks before the start of the 32nd Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Duda told those at the event that this year's Olympics, rescheduled from 2020, were set to be “exceptional and extremely difficult.”
High medal hopes
He wished Polish athletes success and also voiced hope for a haul of medals for his country.
"I wish all our athletes that they break their own personal records and set new world records," he said.
He noted that Polish athletes "have so far won 305 Olympic medals: 75 gold, 90 silver and 140 bronze.”
'Sport has the power to change the world'
Japan's ambassador to Poland, Akio Miyajima, said his country was making every effort to ensure that the Games would be special as well as safe.
He added that they would symbolize solidarity among people around the globe.
“Sport has the power to change the world and future,” he said.
“We want to bring dreams and hopes to the world,” he added.
Akio Miyajima, Japan's ambassador to Poland. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Lange
Promoting Poland
Meanwhile, Andrzej Kraśnicki, head of the Polish Olympic Committee, noted that "it won’t be possible to meet in larger groups, and it won’t be possible to visit the Olympic Village" during the Games.
He added that Polish Days at the Olympics usually provided an opportunity to promote the country and its culture "at the highest level," among international athletes, sports officials and politicians.
Andrzej Kraśnicki, head of the Polish Olympic Committee, addresses those gathered at the Polish Day Tokyo 2020 promotional event in Warsaw on June 30, 2021. Photo: PAP/Andrzej Lange
Polish Days are typically held in Olympic host cities, but this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, such promotional events cannot be organized in the Japanese capital.
The Tokyo Games are scheduled to take place from July 23 to August 8.
(int/gs)
Source: IAR