Ceremonial opening gala of the World Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26

More than 300 guests from around the world, representing World Athletics and its 113 member national federations, as well as Polish local government officials and representatives of the national administration, attended yesterday’s grand gala inaugurating the World Indoor Championships Kujawy Pomorze 26. The event took place in the representative interiors of the Centrum Kulturalno-Kongresowe Jordanki.

The participants were welcomed by World Athletics President Sebastian Coe and Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

“I would like to express my sincere thanks to the local organizing committee, the city of Toruń, the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region, and the Polish Athletic Association for their commitment and tireless efforts in making these championships possible.

I look forward to feeling the excitement shared by knowledgeable fans as they experience the adrenaline and witness world-class athletics,” said President Sebastian Coe.

“We meet on the eve of a great event — a celebration of athletics, of emotions, effort, and dreams. Sport is more than competition. It is a school of character. It teaches humility and perseverance. It is respect — for your opponent, for the rules, and for yourself. It is a language understood all over the world. Sport is not only the joy of life, but also a powerful tool for cooperation and solidarity between nations. It has the power to unite people beyond divisions — political, racial, or religious. It is a universal language,” emphasized Marshal Piotr Całbecki.

Among those present were also, among others, the President of the Polish Athletic Association Sebastian Chmara, Janusz Szewiński — husband and coach of the legendary sprinter and long jumper Irena Szewińska — President of the Regional Parliament Elżbieta Piniewska along with regional councillors, Vice-Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski, Vice-Marshal Aneta Jędrzejewska, Mayor of Toruń Paweł Gulewski, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Grzegorz Karpiński, and Kujawsko-Pomorskie Deputy Voivode Michał Koniuch.

The artistic setting of the event featured performances prepared by the Zespół Pieśni i Tańca Ziemia Bydgoska, as well as Toruń-based pianist and composer Steve Nash and pianist Nina Minor.

Beata Krzemińska
Press spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office

March 20, 2026