Primo Nebiolo
Just hours after arriving in Warsaw to attend a meeting of the Council of the European Athletic Association, IAAF President Primo Nebiolo received the highest state award from Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.
Dr Nebiolo had arrived directly from Sydney, where he had been attending meetings with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in his capacity as President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF).
During his presentation speech, President Kwasniewski, who awarded Nebiolo the Cross of Commander with Star, referred to Nebiolo's early beginnings in the administration of University Sports and his long and distinguished career in International Athletics: "Today's ceremony is of double significance for me; first because Primo Nebiolo is one of the world's most important sports leaders, but also because he is truly a friend of Poland", said the Polish head of state.
Himself a former Minister of Sport and member of the Polish Olympic Committee, 44-year-old Kwasniewski praised the IAAF President for his tireless dedication to the promotion of sporting ideals and better understanding between the world's youth.
Kwasniewski also thanked Nebiolo for his congratulations on US Senate approval for Poland's entrance into NATO and joked: "You really are the first to congratulate us! We hope you will enjoy your stay in Poland - you've never been so secure here..!"
Nebiolo was accompanied at the presentation by the members of the Council of the European Athletic Association.