Goosia revealed as mascot for World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26
A goose named Goosia, representing the region’s identity and traditions, will be the mascot of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26.
The name of the mascot was confirmed following a fan contest. The winner – Tomasz Wolniewicz – will receive two tickets for one of the sessions during the championships, which takes place at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Toruń from 20-22 March.
The preparations for one of Poland’s most important sports events in 2026 are in full swing. Creating and naming a mascot that tells the story of the region’s heritage has been one of the key steps.
“I am pleased that our mascot finally has a name,” said Piotr Całbecki, Marshal of the Kujawy Pomorze Region. “It will be an important symbol of these championships. I hope that the winner chooses tickets for their dream session and will cheer on Polish athletes with all their heart.”
WIC Kujawy Pomorze 26 CEO Krzysztof Wolsztyński said: “Goosia is a name that combines a Polish female name with a reference to the English word goose. It’s a creative linguistic concept and will certainly be easy for visitors to pronounce. We will check that during the Orlen Copernicus Cup, which will take place in Toruń on 22 February.”
Above all, having a goose mascot expresses the strong regional identity of the Kujawy Pomorze region, as geese have long been associated with both nature and culinary traditions of the area. A great example of this is 'St. Martin’s Goose', promoting family celebrations during Poland’s Independence Day and the preservation of regional heritage.
The goose has accompanied the people of this region for centuries, as a source of food, pride, and local identity. As early as the 19th century, geese from Kujawy Pomorze – especially the white Kołuda breed – gained recognition beyond the region. This breed was developed at the National Research Institute of Animal Production in Kołuda Wielka near Inowrocław and is now regarded as the best in Europe. For this reason, the Kujawy Pomorze region is often called Poland’s goose heartland.
The World Athletics Indoor Championships will be another major – and the most significant – international athletics event held in the region. Every year, Toruń hosts Poland’s top indoor meeting, the Copernicus Cup, and in Bydgoszcz the Irena Szewińska Memorial is held at the stadium. Both meetings have World Athletics Gold status.
