ATLANTA--A memorial Mass was celebrated inside the Olympic Village July 20 for Eugeniusz Pietrasik, top official with the Polish team, who died at the Opening Ceremonies for the Games.

Pietrasik was "chef de mission" for the Polish team, according to Catholic chaplains, who arranged for the Mass at the request of his family and Polish team members.

Father Adam Ozimek, parochial vicar at Holy Spirit Church in Atlanta, celebrated the evening Mass in Polish at the Catholic Center inside the Olympic Village. Jolanta Pietrasik, the official's widow, and a large contingent of Polish athletes and staff came to the Mass, which was concelebrated by Father Mario DiLella, OFM, Olympic chaplain.

Pietrasik was involved with the team for a long time and had been instrumental in bringing them to the Games, Father Ozimek said. He collapsed and died after processing into Olympic Stadium with the Polish team during the Opening Ceremonies. His body was to be returned to Poland for the funeral and burial. Chaplains were told Pietrasik had a history of heart problems.

In his homily Father Ozimek said he encouraged the athletes

"to motivate themselves to compete even harder to honor (Pietrasik) and everything he has done and to be a support to his family." While waiting for the Mass to begin, they learned that Poland had won its first Olympic medal. "It was kind of a bittersweet moment," for the grief-stricken athletes and family, Father Ozimek said.