The European Olympic Committees (EOC) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Polish NOC President and EOC Executive Committee (ExCom) Ex-Officio member Mr Andrzej Kraśnicki.
Kraśnicki was an instrumental figure in Polish and European sport, serving as NOC President from 2010 to 2023, and having a huge role in the successful staging of the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023. This saw him take an Ex-Officio position on the EOC ExCom.
At the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, India in October 2023, Mr Kraśnicki was awarded the Olympic Order, the highest honour of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for his distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement. This came shortly after Mr Kraśnicki was honoured with the EOC Order of Merit at the 52nd EOC General Assembly in Istanbul, Türkiye.
EOC President Spyros Capralos said: ‘’The EOC is deeply saddened at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Andrzej Kraśnicki.
‘’Andrzej was an outstanding sports leader, who helped Polish sport to flourish and rise to new heights under his leadership.
‘’His role in ensuring the European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023 were a huge success cannot be understated. He was instrumental in the staging of the Games and a great help to the EOC, especially to myself, Coordination Commission Chair Mr Hasan Arat and the Executive Committee.
‘’Our thoughts are with all of Andrzej’s family at this sad time.’’
IOC President Thomas Bach presented Mr Kraśnicki with the Olympic Order in 2023, and praised his contribution to taking Polish sport to new heights.
Following his passing, President Bach said: ‘’We are mourning with our Polish friends the loss of Andrzej Kraśnicki, a great Olympic leader in Poland and worldwide. Personally, I will greatly miss a very warm-hearted friend.’’
