Wyścig Pokoju - kontrowersyjne dziedzictwo

Abstract

The Peace Race was a sports event which attracted attention of the most of Polish society in the PRP. The first race was held on 1st-5th-9th May 1948 and it was organized every year. Significant international competition was needed by 'new authorities'. On the one hand it was a specific spectacIe which was able to improve the sate of social opinion, but on the other hand it provided with an opportunity to manipulate people in Poland and beyond it. To succeed in the race one needed the support from the harmonious team as it was within the party apparatus. A cycling group gave a chance to exploit slogans connected with peace, friendship and national brotherhood. Considering the beginning and end dates or the route those who decided about them did not pay attention to sports priorities but they focused on the political ones. It was a tradition that the competition was live observed by each first secretary of the Central Committee of the PUWP and members of the Politburo. The party officials instructed the PUWP committees of all levels in the necessity of mobilizing the audience to participate in watching the race. The Peace Race was seemingly surrounded by the spontaneous atmosphere. In fact, the entire spectacle was precisely 'directed' by promoters and controlled by Security Service. However, political the event was, thanks to efficient arrangement, the high level of cyclists from Czechoslovakia, GDR, PoIand and the Soviet Union it gained a good name in the world of sport.