A new sponsorship deal will see Polish athletes who win gold, silver, or bronze at the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Italy receive part of their bonuses in cryptocurrency. The agreement, signed with a major Polish crypto exchange, marks the first collaboration of its kind between the crypto industry and Poland’s Olympic movement.

First-ever crypto partnership with the Olympic team

The contract, valid from 2026 to 2028, establishes the exchange as the general sponsor of the Polish Olympic Committee, the Polish Olympic Team, and the Youth Olympic Team. Its support covers all appearances through to the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

Committee president Radosław Piesiewicz said the payouts reflect growing private-sector interest in Polish winter sports. However, the deal has sparked internal tensions—15 members of the committee’s management board are demanding a formal explanation, claiming the agreement was not properly approved.

Former Olympic race walker Robert Korzeniowski criticised Piesiewicz, saying he “seems to have forgotten he is not the owner of the Olympic Committee.” Football legend Zbigniew Boniek also questioned the move, arguing it lacks transparency and contradicts Olympic values. Piesiewicz defended the partnership, stressing that the crypto exchange is fully licensed and already supports several Polish athletes.

Higher bonuses for the 2026 Winter Games

The Polish Olympic Committee has doubled its financial reward for Olympic victory at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games. A gold medallist will now receive nearly 120,000 euros—twice the amount awarded for a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, when winners earned about 63,000 euros.

The sharp increase may signal that the committee values winter Olympic victories more highly than summer ones—or, conversely, that it has limited confidence in Poland’s chances at the 2026 Winter Games.

Sources:

https://tvpworld.com/89867933/polish-olympians-to-get-crypto-bonuses-under-record-sponsorship-deal

https://zondacrypto.com/en/news/zondacrypto-general-sponsor-of-pkol-and-polish-olympic-team