INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

The Tuba Dei bell rang out yesterday (9 December) at noon, announcing the start of the 100-day countdown to the World Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26 (WIC). Taking part in the press conference following the ceremony were Marshal Piotr Całbecki, Mayor of Toruń Paweł Gulewski, President of the Polish Athletic Association Sebastian Chmara, and WIC Director Krzysztof Wolsztyński.

The ringing of the bell was preceded by the recording of a promotional film in which members of the Polish national athletics team, accompanied by the mascot – Goosia the goose – visited tourist attractions in Toruń’s Old Town: the Leaning Tower, the Copernicus House, the Old Town Hall, the Toruń Gingerbread Museum, the Copernicus Monument, and the Philadelphia Boulevard.

The bell was rung by sprinter Marika Popowicz-Drapała, pole vaulter Paweł Wojciechowski, and WIC ambassadors – combined events athlete Adriana Sułek-Schubert and pole vaulter Piotr Lisek. Joining them on the tower of the Basilica Cathedral of St. Johns were long jumper Anna Matuszewicz and high jumpers Mateusz Kołodziejski and Mikołaj Szczęsny.

“It is a great honour, but also a responsibility, to host the world’s best athletes and fans from across the globe. Over the years, we have consistently shown how important athletics is in our region. The World Indoor Championships will be the crowning achievement of this effort. We want the championships to be an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity among the youngest. In every municipality of our voivodeship, we are also implementing projects that will allow us to select young people who will take an active part in the opening ceremony,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki. “For fans of the queen of sports, a fan zone will be set up in Nowomiejski Square (Rynek Nowomiejski). We are planning meetings with athletes and officials, as well as talks and lectures. There will be plenty going on!”

“I am proud that we can host the World Indoor Championships in Toruń, on Kujawsko-Pomorskie soil. I am already looking forward to our meetings and cheering together at the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Arena Toruń – first in February at the Orlen Copernicus Cup, and then in March at the World Indoor Championships,” said WIC Director Krzysztof Wolsztyński.

“Toruń will become the centre of top-level athletics events. We are doing everything we can to provide athletes, coaching staff, and fans with the best possible conditions,” assured the Mayor of Toruń, Paweł Gulewski. “Various groups are involved in preparations for the championships, as shown by today’s event with the ringing of the Tuba Dei bell. This was made possible thanks to the cooperation of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Tourist Organisation and the Vistula Riverside Tourist Organisation, for which I am very grateful.”

“I am pleased that the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship is a strong partner of athletics. Indoor championships are close to my heart, as it was at such an event that I won my gold medal in 1999 in Maebashi, Japan,” said Sebastian Chmara, President of the Polish Athletic Association. “I am convinced that in March our athletes will rise to the occasion, and that we will hear the Polish national anthem many times.”

During the meeting with journalists, the Championships poster was presented.

World Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26

• 20 – 22 March 2026
• Kujawsko-Pomorskie Arena Toruń
• Mascot: Goosia the Goose
• Over 500 athletes from more than 120 national teams
• 27 sport events
• Ambassador: Adrianna Sułek-Schubert – combined events athlete, multi-medallist at World and European Championships
• Ambassador: Piotr Lisek – multiple World and European Championships medallist in pole vault

Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

9 December 2025
Last updated: 10 December 2025