World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26
Preparations for the World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 have officially begun with the event’s logo being unveiled at a press conference on Thursday (27).
Marshal Piotr Całbecki and Krzysztof Wolsztyński, Vice-President of the Polish Athletics Association, attended today’s press conference, where the World Athletics flag was also raised in front of the Marshal's Office building – a gesture to mark the handover of the championship to the host city.
Next year, Kujawy Pomorze region will host the world’s top athletes as they compete for medals at the World Athletics Indoor Championships from 20-22 March. It will be the second time Poland has hosted the championships, but the first time it is being held in the Kujawy Pomorze region.
“For years, we’ve been demonstrating how important athletics is in our region. The World Athletics Indoor Championships will be the ‘cherry on top’ of our achievements,” said Całbecki. “I want to express my gratitude to the athletes, as well as everyone involved in organising major athletics events in the region. Special thanks go to Krzysztof Wolsztyński, President of the Kujawy Pomorze Regional Athletics Association, who played a key role in bringing this event to our region.”
“There is no other region in the world that has hosted as many high-level athletics events as we have,” emphasised Wolsztyński. “The World Athletics Indoor Championships is the highest-profile event we can organise here, so in a sense, we've reached the pinnacle. We expect the best athletes from around the world, and we plan to craft a timetable that will keep Polish fans excited every day, cheering for our athletes."
The championships will also serve as an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity throughout the region. “We have many projects in mind to encourage health and physical activity among young people,” added Całbecki. “We will invite children and youth from all our municipalities to attend the opening and closing ceremonies.”
During the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, which concluded on Sunday, a symbolic flag was handed over to the Polish delegation by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe. The Polish delegation, including Anna Matuszewicz, Patryk Sieradzki, and local government representative Jacek Gajewski, Chairman of the Sports and Tourism Committee of the Kujawy Pomorze Regional Assembly, had the honour of bringing the flag back to Poland.
“It was an incredible honour to represent our region and the people of Kujawy Pomorze at this event,” said Jacek Gajewski. “I’m confident that our region is fully prepared to host these championships. We have excellent infrastructure and dedicated people who will make this an unforgettable event. We will seize this opportunity, which is a reward for our past efforts, and I am certain the championships will be a huge success.”
Polish athletes are also excited about the chance to compete at the World Indoor Championships on home soil. Both Patryk Sieradzki and Anna Matuszewicz come from the Kujawy Pomorze Region, and they train and compete for local clubs.
"This is a great symbol and recognition of the hard work we put in every day," said Sieradzki. "Just a few days ago, we were on the other side of the world competting for medals, and next year we’ll be competing at the same event right at home. This is an amazing opportunity. When I first started training, I never imagined I would have the chance to compete in such an event in our region. It motivates me to work even harder."
"It was disappointing when I didn’t qualify for the 2021 European Indoor Championships, which were also held in Toruń," said Anna Matuszewicz. "I was young, but very ambitious, and I wanted to perform well in front of my home crowd. Now, I’m making progress in the senior ranks and getting closer to the top. I hope I’ll get the chance to compete in this prestigious indoor event right here in Kujawy Pomorze region."
With less than a year to the event, organisers are already hard at work to ensure that every aspect of the World Athletics Indoor Championships meets the highest standards. “We’ve already had an initial visit from the World Athletics delegation, and we've received their feedback, suggestions, and detailed reports,” said Wolsztyński. “There’s still a lot of work ahead, but I’m confident it will be an unforgettable event.”
The World Athletics Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 are shaping up to be a milestone in the region’s sporting history, combining world-class competition with local enthusiasm and support.
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