Champion athlete Szewińska leads new trio of Friends

Three-time Olympic champion athlete Irena Szewińska, actress Anna Dymna and the frontman of rock band Perfect, Grzegorz Markowski, have been unveiled as Poland's latest Friends of UEFA EURO 2012.

The trio were presented by Polish tournament director Adam Olkowicz and join the list which will eventually total 100 in the co-host nation – half of them public figures, with the remaining spots open to the general public via competitions for people of all ages.

Szewińska was one of the world's foremost athletes for nearly two decades and competed in a variety of events. She participated in five Olympics between 1964 and 1980, winning three gold medals and making the podium seven times overall. The 64-year-old also broke six world records and is the only athlete (male or female) to have held the global mark in the 100m, 200m and 400m events.

She also found time to develop a passion for football. "It is a big honour for me to become a Friend of EURO," said Szewińska. "I was always a big fan of the Polish national team and believe that Franciszek Smuda's side will achieve great things at UEFA EURO 2012."

Anna Dymna, meanwhile, is a Polish television, film and theatre actress, who also founded the charity Mimo Wszystko (Against the Odds). "Football is a great spectacle, raising extreme emotions," she said. "I envy the players a bit. An actor would never perform in front of so many spectators and will never go through such experiences."

Rock star Grzegorz Markowski added: "It is a big chance for all Poles to show the best of ourselves. I am sure it will be a great event."