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Olympic flag lowered after death of Polish sports legend

PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki 30.06.2018 15:00
The Swiss-based International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Saturday said it was lowering the Olympic flag to half-mast in honour of the passing of Polish sports legend Irena Szewińska.
Irena Szewińska, pictured in October 2017. Photo: PAP/StrefaGwiazd/Marcin KmiecińskiIrena Szewińska, pictured in October 2017. Photo: PAP/StrefaGwiazd/Marcin Kmieciński

Szewińska, who was Poland’s most decorated Olympic athlete of all time, died on Friday night at the age of 72, according to reports.

A five-time Olympian between 1964 and 1980, Szewińska won seven medals, including three gold, in five different track-and-field events.

She had been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1998.

Committee head Thomas Bach said in a statement on Saturday that he had asked for the Olympic flag to be lowered at the IOC headquarters in Switzerland for three days.

"I am shocked and saddened about the loss of our dear Olympic friend Irena Szewinska," Bach said in his statement, which was posted on Twitter.

"With her gentleness and modesty, she was a real role model dedicating her whole life to sport. As such she was inspiring athletes and women around the world."

Bach added: “I have asked to lower the Olympic flag at the IOC headquarters for three days.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda noted Szewińska’s passing in a tweet, calling her “the First Lady of Polish sports.”

Duda in 2016 presented Szewińska with the Order of the White Eagle, the highest Polish state decoration.

Szewińska last year received the Order of the Rising Sun from Japan, its highest honour for a foreigner.

(gs)

Source: IAR/PAP, Twitter

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