London has lost its chance to host Olympic qualifying events due to its anti-Russian stance that can adversely affect Russian and Belarusian athletes, according to the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC allows Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete as „neutral” competitors who „in no way represent their country or state”. Sportsmen and women who „actively support” the respective regimes are excluded from competing.

British Government regulations, however, go further and demand a written statement of neutrality as well as confirmation that the athlete is not state-funded. The IOC argues that Britain’s requirement of a signed document could lead to persecution of athletes when they return to their home countries.

Source – Polskie Radio

The Polish President has given the green light for funding of additional payments to Polish pensioners to help them through the current financial crisis caused by rampant inflation in the country.

The government in May adopted a proposal to give Polish pensioners an extra cash boost every year, a move pledged by the country’s ruling conservatives as part of a new package of benefits.

President Andrzej Duda this week signed the plan into effect after it was approved by Poland’s parliament. The payouts are part of an ambitious new set of spending pledges unveiled by Poland’s governing conservatives during a party convention in mid-May.

The Polish prime minister has said that regular cash boosts for pensioners are “a milestone in improving quality of life” for senior citizens.

Source – Polskie Radio

The 80th edition of the Tour de Pologne is set to start next week in the western city of Poznań.

Almost 200 riders from 24 teams based in various countries are expected to take part in the race, which is Poland’s largest. This year’s event will be more than 1,100 km long and take place from July 29th to August 4th.

The seven-stage race will start in the western city of Poznań and end in Kraków in the south of the country.

Source – Polskie Radio

And finally, a man from Gdynia has been arrested after almost 14 kilograms of drugs were found in his car and apartment during a part of an investigation into the man who was thought to be storing drugs in his apartment and car.

The man was stopped during a routine search and his car was found to smell strongly of marijuana. On examination of his apartment, police found a number of class A and class B drugs in his possession.

The man has been detained for 3 months while investigations continue. He faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.

Source – Radio Gdańsk

Weather

Today will be a showery day in moderate winds with chances of thunder and temperatures of 20 degrees centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 11 degrees overnight.

Tomorrow will turn rainy in a light breeze and temperatures of 21 degrees during the day and 13 degrees overnight.

Martin Caren/ol