The 100^th Anniversary of the Polish Olympic Committee (POC) was celebrated on 12 October in Kraków, Poland.

The ceremony took place in the city’s prestigious Hotel Francuski, where POC was founded 100 years ago, on 12 October in 1919.

“Despite the NOC has progressed, the Olympic idea has remained unchanged” POC President Andrzej Kraśnicki said. “We will preserve our commitment to the traditional Olympic values, such as friendship, fair play and tolerance.” Following his address, he also laid flowers under a memorial plaque commemorating the foundation of his National Olympic Committee.

But this is not the only event organised by POC, as over the year a series of activities and initiatives have been organised to celebrate this milestone.

From January to June 2019, the POC Culture & Olympic Education Department initiated educational projects and workshops that involved approximately 2,500 schoolchildren and teenagers. An educational book for children and teenagers “100 years on the (Olympic!) move” was also published.

The Museum of Sports and Tourism inaugurated two temporary exhibitions: “Kalos Kagathos – sculptures and medals of Jerzy Nowakowski” and “Citius, Altius, Fortius – Polish Olympic Art”.

A temporary outdoor exhibition “100 years on the Olympic Path” was held in Kraków, retracing the steps of the Polish Olympic Movement and its most outstanding Olympians.

Over 50 sport and cultural events took place in the country under the patronage of the POC as part of the 100 anniversary celebrations.

Among others, an International Poster Competition was launched. Referring to the rich traditions of the Polish sport poster, the contest took place in cooperation with the Polish Association of Graphic Designers and the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. The best posters were exhibited in the Royal Łazienki Museum, Olympic Centre in Warsaw.

The celebrations will culminate with a gala at the Grand Theatre-National Opera in Warsaw on 26 October during the EOC General Assembly.