Neo-TVP has lifted the suspension of journalist Przemysław Babiarz, allowing him to return to commentating the Olympic Games in Paris. The television network announced this decision following widespread criticism of Babiarz’s initial removal.
The commotion began on July 26 during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The ceremony included a portrayal of the Last Supper with a woman as Jesus and bearded women as apostles, alongside a performance of John Lennon’s “Imagine” after which Babiarz cited the “vision of communism,” a statement that led to his suspension by Neo-TVP.
The decision to suspend Babiarz sparked a heated debate online and drew criticism from both right-wing and left-wing commentators. Support for Babiarz came from journalists, athletes, the Association of Polish Journalists, and the Polish Ombudsman. In response to the backlash, Neo-TVP reconsidered its stance.
Today, Neo-TVP issued a statement confirming that General Director Tomasz Sygut and TVP Sport Director Jakub Kwiatkowski met with Babiarz in Warsaw. Following their discussions, Sygut decided to reinstate Babiarz’s commentating duties for the Olympic Games.
Przemysław Babiarz is set to resume his role as an Olympic commentator this Friday.