The U18 European Championships in Banská Bystrica concluded with a dazzling showcase of skill and determination from the Polish team. With stellar performances in the Swedish relay events, Poland clinched both a gold and a silver medal.
Polish Men’s Relay Team Makes History with European Championship Victory
In the men’s Swedish relay, the team comprising Nikodem Dymiński, Jakub Foremny, Bartłomiej Adamczyk, and Stanisław Strzelecki delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with a time of 1:51.62. This achievement not only secured them the European championship title but also established them as the second-fastest team in European athletics history and Poland’s historical rankings. Dymiński’s 100-meter leg laid a strong foundation, followed by Foremny’s solid 200 meters. Adamczyk’s powerful 300-meter run brought the team closer to the leaders, and Strzelecki’s extraordinary 400-meter finish sealed the victory, surpassing the German and Italian teams.
Double European U18 champion! 🥇🥇
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 21, 2024
Stanislaw Strzelecki 🇵🇱 anchors Poland to men’s medley relay gold! 🔥#BanskaBystrica2024 pic.twitter.com/udXEW4jGLd
Polish Women’s Relay Team Sets National Record and Wins Silver at European Championships
The women’s relay team also exhibited exceptional skill and teamwork. Oliwia Kasprzak, Aleksandra Jeż, Zofia Tomczyk, and Anastazja Kuś completed the race in 2:05.54, breaking the Polish national record by nearly three seconds. Kasprzak started strong with the 100 meters, Jeż maintained the pace with her 200-meter leg, and Tomczyk propelled the team into the lead with her 300-meter sprint. In a tight contest during the final 400 meters, Kuś was narrowly outpaced by Italy’s Elisa Valensin, earning Poland a silver medal.
Bańska Bystrzyca 🇸🇰:
— PZLA (@PZLANews) July 21, 2024
sztafeta szwedzka
🥈 POL (Oliwia Kasprzak, Aleksandra Jeż, Zofia Tomczyk, Anastazja Kuś) 2:05.54 rekord Polski U18 @GrupaORLEN pic.twitter.com/tqcOZ2RqQC
Łukasz Zaczyk’s Bronze Caps Off Poland’s Eight-Medal Haul at European Championships
Further adding to Poland’s achievements was Łukasz Zaczyk, whose impressive finish in the 800 meters earned him a bronze medal. Zaczyk’s final sprint was nothing short of spectacular, allowing him to regain lost ground and finish third with a time of 1:53.60.
Bańska Bystrzyca 🇸🇰:
— PZLA (@PZLANews) July 21, 2024
bieg na 800 metrów
🥉 Łukasz Zaczyk 1:53.60@GrupaORLEN pic.twitter.com/GXYg7X2M6S
Overall, the Polish team wrapped up the championships with an impressive haul of eight medals, securing second place in the overall medal standings behind Italy, which dominated with 15 medals.