WARSAW, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Polish president Andrzej Duda expressed his high expectation on the country's sports delegation to achieve success at this summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo.
"I hope that many Polish athletes will leave Tokyo happy and smiling as they will win Olympic medal, which is the greatest achievement in sport," said Duda on Saturday as he participated in the New Year's meeting with the Polish Olympic Family.
Duda emphasized that in Poland the athletes are seen as heroes.
"They squeezed tears of happiness from our eyes, especially when thanks to their brilliant performances, we can hear our national anthem and see the white-and-red flag pulled up to the highest mast.
"I am grateful to fate that I met our legendary athlete Irena Szewinska. She is no longer with us but she remains the most successful Olympic athlete in Poland. She is a great lady of Polish sport," the president was quoted as saying by the Polish Press Agency.
He also claimed that the first days of 2020 are good for Polish sport as the ski jumper Dawid Kubacki won the prestigious Four Hills Tournament in Austria and Germany. "It may be a good sign. I hope I will send congratulations to the many athletes this year. I believe the footballers will achieve success at UEFA Euro 2020," said Duda.
The president counted on Poland's performance at Tokyo 2020, as the Polish athletes won 23 Olympic medals in Japan in 1964.
"I want these successes to be repeated. I would like to wish you winning Olympic medals with all my heart," added Duda.
The president of the Polish Olympic Committee Andrzej Krasnicki said that "the results predict that the number of medals in Tokyo will be higher than in Rio de Janeiro and London. Let's think positive. We will do everything to make the preparation conditions as good as possible."
