Seven Polish journalists were among sports reporters distinguished at the International Sports Press Association (AIPS)’s centenary celebrations at a gala ceremony at UNESCO’s Paris HQ on Tuesday.
The idea of commending journalists for long-term services to the games was born ahead of the 2012 London Olympics when more than 100 were recognized. The distinction is conferred on journalists of TV, press, radio and electronic media as well as photojournalists.
The Poles who received recognition for their Olympic service were Dariusz Szpakowski, who lead the field with 18 Olympics (10 summer and 8 winter), Cezary Gurjew with 14 (9-5), Wojciech Atys 12 (7-5), Marek Rudziński 12 (7-5), Przemysław Babiarz 11 (6-5), Piotr Dębowski 11 (7-4) and Marek Solecki 11 (5-6). Tuesday’s awardees received commemorative diplomas, a set of AIPS pins and a copy of the book ‘By the Way’ by François Carrard, the first director-general of the International Olympic Committee, as well as gifts from sports luminaries present at the event.
Prior to this year’s Paris Olympics, the title of honorary press attaché to the games was bestowed upon veteran Polish sports reporter Włodzimierz Szaranowicz by the Polish Olympic Committee. The revered radio and TV journalist holds the record among Polish sports journalists and commentators, having covered 19 Olympic games during his career.
The gala marked a hundred years since the AIPS was established in Paris, when the French capital hosted the 1924 Olympics. Then, the AIPS was founded by eight countries – Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Sweden – at a ceremony attended by 80 journalists from 29 countries, some of which took up the observer status. All in all, the 1924 games were attended by 685 journalists and photographers who reported on the achievements of 3,092 athletes, of whom 132 were women.
The Poles who received recognition for their Olympic service were Dariusz Szpakowski, who lead the field with 18 Olympics (10 summer and 8 winter), Cezary Gurjew with 14 (9-5), Wojciech Atys 12 (7-5), Marek Rudziński 12 (7-5), Przemysław Babiarz 11 (6-5), Piotr Dębowski 11 (7-4) and Marek Solecki 11 (5-6). Tuesday’s awardees received commemorative diplomas, a set of AIPS pins and a copy of the book ‘By the Way’ by François Carrard, the first director-general of the International Olympic Committee, as well as gifts from sports luminaries present at the event.
Prior to this year’s Paris Olympics, the title of honorary press attaché to the games was bestowed upon veteran Polish sports reporter Włodzimierz Szaranowicz by the Polish Olympic Committee. The revered radio and TV journalist holds the record among Polish sports journalists and commentators, having covered 19 Olympic games during his career.
100 years of AIPS
The gala marked a hundred years since the AIPS was established in Paris, when the French capital hosted the 1924 Olympics. Then, the AIPS was founded by eight countries – Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland and Sweden – at a ceremony attended by 80 journalists from 29 countries, some of which took up the observer status. All in all, the 1924 games were attended by 685 journalists and photographers who reported on the achievements of 3,092 athletes, of whom 132 were women.
Source: PAP, aipsmedia.com
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