2024-09-10 13:50 update: 2024-09-11, 14:56
Photo: PAP/Marcin Gadomsk
Poland's largest railway operator, PKP Intercity, has abruptly terminated its sponsorship deal with the Polish Olympic Committee (PKOl), citing irregularities at PKOl.
Inked a year ago, the deal was due to expire in 2027. According to a statement issued by PKP Intercity on Tuesday, the passenger train company "terminated this cooperation with immediate effect."
The company pointed to a loss of trust and PKOl's alleged failure to fulfil its contractual obligations as the causes of dispute. According to the press release, this had led to "major marketing losses" for PKP Intercity.
PKP Intercity also accused PKOl officials of engaging in actions that were controversial and harmful to the public image it "has been building for years."
The termination followed a similar move by LOT, the Polish national carrier, which ended its sponsorship deal with the PKOl on Friday. However, the latter asserted that the violated contract held no legal significance owing to LOT's failure to provide specified reasons.
As the Paris Olympics ended, Polish Minister of Sports and Tourism Slawomir Nitras announced an audit of the PKOl's finances. The audit will examine the organisation's use of funding from the state budget and state-owned companies, as well as the PKOl's decision regarding the remuneration of its management board members. The minister's inspection, however, has not commenced as of yet.
Currently, there are two audits underway at the PKOl. The organisation confirmed receiving inquiries from Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski, the PKOl's legal supervisor, and his two-week deadline to provide answers. The second audit is carried out by the National Tax Administration. (PAP)
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