Przemysław Babiarz, a well-known Polish sports commentator working for the Polish public broadcaster Telewizja Polska (TVP) for some 30 years, was suspended after naming John Lennon’s song “Imagine”, played at the Paris Olympic Games opening ceremony, a communist manifesto. The decision was widely discussed by the European media. 

One of the highlights of the artistic part of the ceremony was John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’. 

In a commentary to the opening ceremony, Mr Babiarz said: 

“Imagine, depicts a world without heaven, nations, religions and this is the vision of this peace that is supposed to be embraced by everyone. This is the vision of communism, unfortunately.”

The reaction of the Polish public broadcaster came a few hours later. 

“We would like to inform you that following yesterday’s scandalous words of Przemyslaw Babiarz, he has been suspended from his official duties and will not be commenting on the struggles during the Olympic Games,” the TVP said in an official statement. 

TVP also wrote that the “mutual understanding, tolerance, reconciliation – are not only the fundamental Olympic ideas but also the foundation of the standards which guide the new Telewizja Polska. There is no consent to violating them”.

The decision was widely commented on in Western media, including the German Bild.

“Babiarz, a star of the Polish sports scene, will not be allowed on the microphone until the end of the Games. During a live broadcast, Babiarz mocked John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’, which is considered the unofficial Olympic anthem,” the German media wrote. 

The Bild wrote that the words of Imagine are indeed consistent with the values represented by the International Olympic Committee.

Another German portal, TAG24, wrote: “Scandalous statements: Presenter suspended after Olympic opening ceremony”.

“The TV presenter believes that the lyrics of the song sung at the opening of the Olympic Games are inappropriate. His statements now have drastic consequences” the German portal adds. 

The situation was also commented on by UK and American press agencies and media. 

The Polish National Broadcasting Council said it will investigate the TVP’s decision. 

Interestingly Polish football fans expressed their solidarity with Mr Babiarz by presenting words of support in their tifo.

Silesian Ruch Chorzów club tifo said: “Przemek Babiarz don’t say sorry, down with the red plague!” 

A similar tifo was also presented by Legia Warszawa fans during a game in Kielce, saying: “Mr Babiarz we stand with you, down with communism!”  

Photo: x/@MaciejNaskret

Tomasz Modrzejewski