Awarded for activities that strengthen Poland’s position on the international stage, the Bene Merito honorary distinction was presented to: Andrzej Bargiel, Marcin Gortat, Dominik Kubera, Robert Lewandowski, Mikołaj Marczyk, Jakub Matulka, Piotr Michalski, Aleksandra Mirosław, Roman Paszke, Jakub Przygoński, Łukasz Różański, and Katarzyna Zillmann. The athletes received the distinctions from Poland’s top diplomat, Radosław Sikorski, during the 70th anniversary gala of Totalizator Sportowy. Totalizator Sportowy is an institution that has long been part of the history of Polish sport and corporate social responsibility, including through its support for culture.

Deputy Prime Minister Sikorski emphasised that it is an honour to award the Bene Merito distinction to outstanding athletes whose dedication, talent, and perseverance have for many years gone far beyond stadiums and sports halls and arenas. He noted that sport and culture are among the most effective instruments of soft power that states have today—a power which is soft yet highly influential.

You help shape Poland’s image around the world—hand in hand with Polish diplomacy. And that’s often more effective than many official communiqués, because you do so through emotion, authenticity, and the universal language of sport, stressed Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.

Established in 2009, the Bene Merito honorary distinction is conferred by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in acknowledgement of accomplishments that contribute to strengthening Poland’s international status.