The conference was opened by Minister of Sport and Tourism Jakub Rutnicki who focused on the main goal of the document i.e. the hosting of Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Poland. 

The Polish Sport Development Strategy must be a jointly developed project accepted both by the sports community and politicians,

– said Minister of Sport and Tourism Jakub Rutnicki.

The Minister also spoke about the need for the whole Polish society to be engaged in the project and about the necessity to increase the level of physical activity of people in Poland. 

I am confident that we will present a very strong bid for the Games. Public acceptance is of key importance. I hope that all of us present here believe that the Games will be held in Poland,

– said Minister Rutnicki.

Poland as a destination is growing in popularity. Numbers of visitors marvel at our sports infrastructure, of which we certainly have a lot. I’m convinced that the Games can be hosted by us,

– he added.

The Polish Sport Development Strategy 2040 will be a comprehensive document focused on four main areas: health, community and national pride, systemic support, and human and social capital in sport. 

The first key step in formulating the long-term strategy was a diagnosis of Polish sport. For this purpose, 52 meetings and diagnostic workshops were held between 30 June and 15 October 2025, with a total of 116 participants.

Today, we already have recommendations developed based on our work on the strategy,

– said Robert Korzeniowski when discussing the results of the works.

In our work, we look at the strategies of countries that have achieved success in sport. Yet, we understand sport not only as the number of medals won but also as the level of people’s physical activity,

– he noted. 

On 24 November 2025, social consultations have started and will last until February 2026. Everyone may take part in them.

The consultations on the recommendations will be combined with eight workshops and regional meetings. 

The next stage, according to the work schedule, will be the development of a draft strategy that should be ready by June 2026. The following month, a strategic environmental impact assessment will begin that is expected to last until September 2026.

The last step will be to proceed through inter-ministerial consultations, public consultations and the Council of Ministers’ Committees towards the Council resolution adopting the strategy, which is planned for December 2026. 

The strategy is to be implemented since 2027.

We are really getting down to work. Ahead of us are two and a half years of hard work that should be joined by us all: the whole sports community, local governments, the Polish government and the whole Polish society,

– said Secretary of State Piotr Borys.

Summer Olympic Games have never been hosted by any Central or Eastern European country. I think the time has come for Poland as a leader of Central and Eastern Europe,

– he emphasized. 

The works on the strategy are carried out by the Steering Committee for the Sports Development Strategy.

The main goal of the strategy is for Poland to bid for hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The host selection process consists of four stages. The first one, covering the last quarter of this year and the first quarter of next year, involves informal exchange of information. It will be followed by continuous dialogue, and then, from the beginning of 2027, a thematic dialogue. The host of the Games will most likely be announced in July 2028 at an IOC session. 

I deeply believe that Poland is ready to host the Olympic Games. My five-year experience within the IOC structures shows that we have many things to be proud of. We are among the world’s top economies and everyone who visits Poland is deeply impressed by the level of our achievements,

– said IOC member Maja Włoszczowska.

We hosted a wonderful Euro event and the European Games. We are definitely able to host the Olympic Games,

– she added. 

As part of Poland’s actions in seeking the right to host the Games, a Working Group for the Olympic and Paralympic Games candidacy has been established.

To take part in the consultations please simply visit the website strategiasportu.pl.