Taking to the slopes in the southern Polish mountain resort of Zakopane on Sunday, Duda, an avid skier, said he had recovered from his second COVID-19 infection and was happy to return to action.
President Andrzej Duda hits the slopes in Zakopane, southern Poland, on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2022. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Momot
"Fortunately, the illness was not serious this time; I didn't feel sick," he said, encouraging Poles to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
"If someone doubts the effectiveness of vaccinations, I can say with full responsibility that now, after three vaccine doses, I was able to fight the virus much easier than in October 2020 when I got infected for the first time," he added.
The Polish president was vaccinated against the coronavirus with two doses in April and June last year and also received a booster shot for added protection on December 17, according to an aide.
Duda on Sunday encouraged children to engage in sports, saying that events such as the annual 12H Slalom Marathon in Zakopane "bring people together regardless of their beliefs" and political views.
"Regardless of our varying abilities, we are together and can talk to each other," Duda said.
The 12H Slalom Marathon Zakopane event is held annually by former Polish Olympic Alpine skier Małgorzata Tlałka-Długosz to benefit a charitable foundation that raises funds to help children and young people with disabilities.
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Source: PAP