WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish officials have complained to the organizers of the European Swimming Championships in Berlin after an announcer introduced the Polish team by joking that they would return home with stolen cars.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry said its embassy in Berlin was asking for a clarification on the matter and possible “consequences” for the announcer.

Andrzej Kowalski, the president of the Polish Swimming Federation, told the Polish news channel TVN24 that during the event on Monday the announcer said “a large group came from Poland that will return home with our cars.”

“We were shocked. We couldn’t believe what we heard,” Kowalski said.

He said he complained and the announcer made a public apology.

An Associated Press photographer at the event confirmed hearing both the comment and the apology.

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