Can you tell us at since when do you accompany the Olympics of Polish Communities? How many did you participate in?
I went to the first Olympics in 1987, in times of communist regime, when I was still a reporter of Polish Radio in Warsaw. Since I really liked the idea of these Games, I gladly went to Kraków to record reports and stories for radio broadcasts. That was my first encounter with abroad Polish sports. I have met many wonderful people back then, including Poles living abroad i.a. Mieczysław Rutyna from Chicago, who was a Polish Olympic athlete. Although he lived permanently in the United States, he represented Poland at two Olympic Games – in Tokyo (1964) and Mexico (1968) in race walking. He was a good walker, but not good enough to be paid for by Poland, he lived in United States after all. In those days, it was absolutely impossible for the People’s Republic of Poland to sponsor someone living in the United States. I also met there Janek Zolich from the Czech Republic (who I am really missing over here), Grzegorz Lato, who came with the Polish Diaspora from Hamilton (because he lived a few years in Canada) – and I really liked the Olympic of Polish Communities.
And in 1995, I have become a head of sport and touristic programs editorial in TVP Polonia, which was merely a greenhorn at that time, but managed quite well, even better than it does now. We had a healthy budget and have already expanded to the United States and North America. Then it occurred to me that I was once on the Olympic of Polish Communities, I know the event, but haven’t heard of it for a long time. It turned out that the Games have actually been suspended for several years and forgotten, so I started thinking about how to revive them. I had a TV transmission at my disposal – which was important for potential sponsors. I was in a very favorable atmosphere in Lublin. Not so much in the local authorities, but rather in the Lublin province with the voivode Wiesław Brodowski. He liked the idea of the Olympics very much. We were joined by provincial sports institutions and workplaces of Lublin province that greatly helped with organizational costs, because we had no financial support from the government; we relied just on sponsors and donations of TVP Polonia. And so, with combined forces we could run the Olympic of Polish Communities. That was also the first time people from the East came on our expense.
In short, these are my 10th summer Games, but there were also 5 or 6 during winter. I may not have always been on the whole winter Games, because they often conflicted with some World Championships, or the Olympic Games of winter sports that I commented on for many years on television. Well, but it all gives 10 summer and a few winter Games, about a dozen Olympics of Polish Communities in total.
It isn’t necessary to convince neither us Polish Diasporas or you – a man, who keeps a track of Olympic of Polish Communities – that the World Olympic of Polish Communities should be continued, but what do you think, how do Poles and people living in Poland react to our Games – by watching them on TV Polonia or being here on the site? Do they notice the point of this event? How important is it – due to the sole relations of Polish diaspora, and on the other hand how do these Games may be useful sports-wise for the Poles themselves?
I think that these Games are little known because of the people of Poland. Let’s say, when the Olympic of Polish Communities take place in some city or region, they are visible because various media sponsorships write and talk about them. Although, of course, spectators of the given city don’t come to these Games. But this is not the purpose of the Olympics. They have a dual purpose for me, maybe even triple.
First of all, they are supposed to integrate abroad Polish Communities with Poland. Secondly, the Games should pull them closer to each other – and I know a lot of such cases. I remember that one year Poles in Canada, the U.S. and Czech Republic met at the Winter Games, and then they went together to the Piast Race and became friends. And if not for the Olympics, such human relationships wouldn’t have been established. Because how else they might? There wouldn’t be such base that could allow it. The Olympic of Polish Communities provide such opportunity, and if there is any good will, and I see there is – people befriend with each other. It is therefore a very important value. The fact that Poles come to Poland thanks to the Games is equally valuable. Although the perception of the homeland may be different, I think that those who are long abroad see more positives than negatives about what is happening in Poland, how things are changing. We would certainly like it to be even better, though. And the third things is that these 1.500 people have an enjoyable week for duration of the Games – this is also a value.
It certainly is! Especially that the Olympic of Polish Communities take place in different locations, sometimes they are repeated, but generally the Polish Diasporas travel around the country and visit different cities by the way.
Yes, that was our idea. I say “our”, because it was also my idea. When in 1997 revived Games was held in Lublin, the city enjoyed them so much that it decided to organize them again. And so it happened – the next Olympics organized in Lublin in 1999. I noticed, however, that this cannot go on, that the Games must travel like the regular Olympic Games. And since then – those who regularly come to the Games – had the opportunity to visit Sopot, Poznań, Warsaw, Słupsk, Toruń and Wrocław. That’s a piece of Poland – viewed and enclosed, let’s say. Especially that the authorities of these cities or provinces always try to organize a touristic and cultural program for the participants. It is also worth mentioning that Poland is the only country in the world, excluding Israel, that organizes such Games for their diaspora. In Israel it is a matter of government – large amounts of money are put in the games, so-called Maccabiah Games which are organized every 4 years. This is an event with a very high level of organization. Probably as high, as was the first Games of Polish Communities in 1934, which was then called the Summer Games for Polish Diaspora and Free City of Danzig (ed. today Gdańsk). And it was the only Games in the interwar period. Later, the political situation was already unfavorable, the war was in the air and it was no longer possible to organize the Games. But on these first games came the biggest stars – Stanisława Walasiewiczówna, who two years earlier earned a gold medal in Los Angeles in 100m run. There were also other outstanding athletes, swimmers, who often had their personal records better than the contemporary Polish records. Excellent cyclists came from France, semi-professionals and professionals. Then, after the war, French Polonia participated in the Peace Race two or three times, which was the flagship of cycling events, largely propagandistic, but also the one Poles were interested in.
Going back to the contemporary Games, I would like to raise some important point: Forum of Polish Community is also a fixed element of the Games program, when the Polish diaspora presents its activities, various projects and lead discussions – so at least it was until now. This year’s Forum of Polish Community was held in a humble group of 30 people and half of it was filled with an artistic concert. This, of course, is a nice diversion, but on the other hand it makes us concern whether the Forum will be still organized in its former setting, which influenced the form of the Games and aided in the organizational details? Since 2005 we observe that some mistakes in the summer Games are constantly repeated and mainly concern the same subjects. That’s why we submitted a proposal that the Polish Community Association organized a meeting of the coordinators and heads of teams before the next Games, so that they may thoroughly discuss matters relating specifically to the Olympics and the way they are carried. What do you think, how this initiative may be beneficial and how it may affect the shape of the Olympic of Polish Communities? We all ask ourselves this question, in what direction the Games should be going – banquet or sport oriented? Whether this integration, which takes place during the Olympics should be carried through such convivial meetings, or perhaps through sport competition?
In my view it cannot be done in such a pure form – it can’t be either black or white, it must be indirect. Sport competitions alone do not have to deny the convivial character. It is needed, because after all the sport events people have to do something, and such convivial gatherings serve to integrate. However, it is not good when some people exceed the bounds of decency – making a feast during the event, or doing inappropriate things in the evenings. Good manners at least, sometimes people even exceed the legal principles. Unfortunately, we had such examples on this Games…
I think it is related to another important issue – who comes to the Games. Don’t you think that visitors are often sent there accidentally, who neither have Polish roots nor speak Polish language whatsoever?
Yes, you’re right. It’s a very difficult and vast subject. And it is not as simple as it might seem. Because when it comes to the Polish language in the East, it was eradicated by the Soviet regime in the interwar and postwar periods. People were not allowed to speak Polish in public. It was prohibited, and during the Stalinist period one could go to jail or to Siberia, so people were intimidated. They didn’t even teach their children how to write or speak in Polish, because they were afraid. What was normally cultivated in Polish families in the United States, Canada, Australia and other Western European countries – in the East it was sometimes impossible.
Nonetheless, in fact I know a lot of such cases when random or wrong people came to the Games. In Poznań in 2013, Belarus had already gone the whole hog and sent a completely different team to the Games than it was reported – they were disqualified, but what of it if they stayed in Poland for the next 9 days at the expense of our state budget…
At this year’s Olympic of Polish Communities a new fully electronic registration system was introduced. Whereas after arriving in Kielce one just had to receive the participant cart (though anonymous, because everyone got identical with a lot of sponsor logos), pay for hotel and that was all. During the event one had to fill out a card with own name and a statement that he or she lives permanently abroad, but really could start in the competition and anyone could come. Few teams made use of it anyway. We had a situation in volleyball, where one participating team didn’t speak or understood a word in Polish and also consisted of league players with whom no one stood a chance. They have previously won the Polish Diaspora Championship in Andrychów by defeating a premier team from Kędzierzyn Koźle in an open match. There is simply no chance and I think that such stories spoil the mood of people who come here to compete in the Games and have fun.
Yes, you’re right. But to put what we talk about in order, we must first conclude that Kielce deserve gratitude and applause. Polish Community Association were extremely reluctant, with reasons completely unknown to me, to grant location of these Games. I asked them back in September – when we met in the Polish Community Sports Committee, of which I am a member – to designate the location as soon as possible, because local authorities finalize the budget by the end of the year and have to know about the Games earlier. Meanwhile Kielce learned that they will organize the Olympic of Polish Communities in January, and the budget had already been closed. What is more, they learned of this fact by a call through Polish media in Canada. I run a weekly commentary on Radio Polonia in Toronto – and I said there about it on the air, and later the president of Kielce found out about it from the Kielce residents who live in Canada. It cannot be like that!
Now in Kielce, we should know now who will organize the next Games and to pass on the flag – as it happens in regular Olympics. Obviously it is incomparable, Olympics of Polish Communities are, let’s say, a small recreational event. Location of the real Olympic Games is decided 7 years prior to the next event – 2 years would be enough in our case. Executives of the next Games should be present at the current competition to see how to organize such event, to talk to you and draw conclusions.
Thus, bearing in mind the deadline Kielce had to organize the Games (January to August), and that the Olympic of Polish Communities is not the only event they organize during the holiday season, I think the organizers have done a 150% above the standards, or even 200%! They traveled to Wrocław, met with former organizers from Wrocław and Toruń – they asked for comments and learned from experience of those cities. I also have to commend Kielce’s authorities. Even now you can see this commitment at every step. Both Vice President Mr. Andrzej Sygut and the Head of the Sports Department of City Council, Mr. Mieczysław Tomala are from dawn to dusk at the Games every day.
Of course there are your comments that should be discussed and taken into consideration. In general I can say that they are repetitive – the idea is still the same from the beginning. Maybe these are some minor issues, but which nevertheless influence the well-being of participants. This should not be, but I would absolve Kielce’s decision makers, on the contrary, I’d praise them – for such a short time and virtually no budget – they deserve a world champion title for what they did!
I think that we as participants or even our representatives would like to meet with the President Komołowski, PKOl representative, MSZ representatives, the Senate, or the representative of the Committee on Liaison with Poles Abroad – those people who have a lot to say, so we can raise some difficult issues with them. Such meetings used to take place – remember – this year it was not.
I agree completely, because these people, say “on the political spotlight” you’re talking about show up mainly at the opening of the Games, there is some coverage on TV Polonia. They are lined up in the front row and are greeted personally, the broadcast producer knows who is sitting where and who should be shown. I don’t know how it is in other countries, but after elections Polish politicians think immediately about next and run as much as possible from television to television. For obvious reasons – mainly in regard of the next term. Polish senators, Members of Parliament, senior officials do not make huge money corresponding to European standards, but for the Polish conditions this is considerable money and therefore each of them is thinking mainly about themselves and their business. It is sad to say, but it requires serious repairs, as much as Polish nation does, because it is in a state of noticeable crisis – not economic, but political and it translates well to the lower levels you’re talking about – the activists think only of themselves, not about you that you may be pleased. And returning to the teleconference, or conference – after all, there are now such means of communication that it is not necessary to come to Warsaw. You can do an internet teleconference, even with a few or a dozen key countries and their leaders to talk, share all comments and possibly implement them. It is technically pretty simple at the moment.
Chairman for the Polish community in PKOL, Mr. Rybczyński promised that on February 22 he will announce the location of the next Summer Games. We hope that Rybczyński will keep his word. Meanwhile we know that the next World Winter Olympic of Polish Communities will be held in Jelenia Góra – I hope to see you there?
Yes, the organizers have invited me there. See you!
Krzysztof Miklas – Polish journalist and sports commentator. In the years 1974-1978 he was a journalist in the sports section “Trybuna Mazowiecka”, then (1978-1988) in the sports editorial of Polish Radio. From 1988 to 1991 in sports editorial of TVP, later (1991-1993) manager of sports section in the “Nowy Świat”. Since 1994, again in TVP, to 2007 head of sports and touristic programs in TVP Polonia. In 1997, on his initiative the World Polonia Games has been revived. Since September 2008 on journalistic retirement.
He commented in Polish Radio and TVP on ten Olympic Games (five summer and five winter), starting from Seoul (1988). Columnist of Łowicz weekly magazine “Nowy Łowiczanin”, “Gazeta Olsztyńska” and Polish diaspora press (i.a. since 2002 weekly comment in Radio7 Toronto). Member of the Ethics Committee TVP III (2001-2002) and V (2005-2006) terms. An activist of Polish Olympic Committee (Polish Diaspora Committee) and the Polish Community Association (Committee on Sports and Youth). Awarded with the Gold Cross of Merit (2001) for his contribution on behalf of Polish diaspora.
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