Polish Olympic chief arrested in Zondacrypto scandal

Polish Olympic Committee president Radosław Piesiewicz was arrested in a probe into Zondacrypto’s collapse and alleged kickbacks, leaving thousands of investors with major losses.

Radosław Piesiewicz, president of the Polish Olympic Committee, was arrested in Warsaw on August 27, 2026, amid a criminal investigation into the collapse of the crypto exchange Zondacrypto. Authorities are probing allegations that Piesiewicz received improper benefits, such as a luxury watch valued at €40,000, travel expenses, and match tickets, in exchange for assisting Zondacrypto with regulatory matters. Piesiewicz denies any wrongdoing, asserting that he purchased the watch with his own funds. The collapse of Zondacrypto has resulted in estimated customer losses ranging from PLN 350 million to PLN 2.4 billion, impacting thousands of investors. The fallout has also caused Polish athletes and coaches to lose out on promised bonuses. The incident has significantly eroded public trust in sports institutions, prompting several federations to call for Piesiewicz's resignation. As of the latest reports, no formal charges have been filed, and his detention is considered a procedural step.