The EOC, as the International Olympic movement, is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Polish Olympic legend and sports administrator Irena Szewińska at age 72. Irena set 10 world records and won 10 Olympic medals in her sterling athletic career. In addition to being the Vice President of the Polish National Olympic Committee, Irena was also a member of the European Union Commission at the EOC between 2005 and 2009 and IOC Member from 1998.

Irena Szewińska was the most illustrious Polish athlete ever, participating in five editions of the Olympic Games: Tokyo 1964, Mexico 1968, Munich 1972, Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980 gaining her best sports results. She was 5 times European Champion and 26 times Polish Champion in athletics and awarded athlete of the XX Century in Poland.

She was also strongly committed to gender equality, being a Member of several commissions – Women and Sport, Women in Sport, Sport and Active Society, Sport for All, “IOC 2000” and Radio and Television – and giving an outstanding contribution to the enhancement of women in the sport movement.

Szewińska was awarded the Order of the White Eagle, the highest Polish distinction and acknowledged Doctor Honoris Causa of the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Poland.

Her death leaves an immense void in the Olympic Movement of Poland, Europe and worldwide.