Jakub Rutnicki made the remarks at a news conference in the north-central city of Bydgoszcz on Tuesday, state news agency PAP reported.
"We are working hard every day so that Poland can have Olympic champions—today and in the future," Rutnicki said, adding that his ministry "will do everything to support Polish athletes on the ground."
Asked about medal expectations for the Milan-Cortina Games, Rutnicki said he would "celebrate every medal," while cautioning against placing too much pressure on competitors.
"Talking about medals is difficult," he said, despite what he hailed as increased government investment in sports infrastructure aimed at boosting Poland’s Olympic results and promoting sport among the public.
Rutnicki said he hoped Poles would have "many reasons to be proud" during the Games.
He added that he was "hugely optimistic" about Poland’s long-track speed skaters and added that medals were also possible in short-track speed skating.
The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics open on Friday and run until February 22.
Poland has selected 60 athletes— 28 men and 32 women—to compete in the Games, with entries in 12 of the 16 sports on the Olympic programme.
Poland will not field competitors in ice hockey, curling, freestyle skiing and skeleton.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP