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

The countdown to the world’s most important indoor athletics event has begun! Next year, Kujawsko-Pomorskie will host the world’s best athletes, who this time will compete for medals at the World Indoor Championships. During today’s (27 March) press conference of Marshal Piotr Całbecki and the Vice President of the Polish Athletics Association Krzysztof Wolsztynski, the logo of the competition was presented and the World Athletics flag, which traditionally goes to the organisers of the championships, was hoisted on a mast in front of the Marshal’s Office building.

 

The Kujawy Pomorze 2026 World Indoor Championships will take place on 20-22 March next year. It will be the second ever event of this rank in Poland, but the first in Kujawsko-Pomorskie.

 

– Over the years, we have confirmed how important athletics is in our province. The World Indoor Championships will be the proverbial ‘icing on the cake’, said Marshal Piotr Całbecki. – I would like to express my appreciation to the athletes and everyone involved in organising the biggest athletics events in the region. Thanks are also due to Mr Krzysztof Wolsztynski, President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Athletics Association, who had a huge impact on such a course of events.

 

– There is no other region in the world which has organised such a large number of athletics events at the highest level,’ stressed Krzysztof Wolsztynski, who also serves as vice-president of the Polish Athletics Association. – ‘In fact, the World Championships is the highest-ranking event we can organise in our region, so in a way we are reaching a ceiling. We are expecting a line-up at the highest level, and in addition we are going to prepare the programme in such a way that Polish fans will be able to see our athletes fight for medals every day.

 

The World Championships will also be an opportunity to promote a healthy lifestyle and sport throughout the region. – We are planning a number of projects that serve health and will develop physical activity among the youngest. We will invite children and young people representing all our municipalities to the opening and closing ceremonies,’ added the provincial host.

 

During the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, which ended on Sunday, the symbolic flag was received from the hands of Sebastian Coe, president of the World Athletics Federation, by a Polish delegation composed of Anna Matuszewicz, Patryk Sieradzki and a representative of the regional government, Councillor Jacek Gajewski, head of the Sejmik Sports and Tourism Committee.

 

– It was an incredible distinction and honour for me to be able to represent our voivodeship and the people of Kujawsko-Pomorskie in this event,’ said Jacek Gajewski. – I am convinced that our region is prepared for these championships. We have great infrastructure and committed people who will create a unique event. I am sure we will seize the opportunity, which is a reward for our efforts so far, and the competition will be a great success.

 

The athletes themselves are delighted that they will have the chance to fight for HMW medals in front of their own audience, as both Patryk Sieradzki and Anna Matuszewicz come from, train and represent clubs from Kuyavia and Pomerania.

 

– This is a nice symbol for us and a recognition of the hard work we do every day. Just a few days ago we were at the end of the world fighting for medals, and next year we will be competing at home in the same event. It’s an amazing thing for us. When I came to the first training session, I couldn’t imagine that I would one day be able to compete in such an event in our region. This only adds to the motivation to keep working hard,’ said Patryk Sieradzki.

 

– I was sad when in 2021 I failed to qualify for the European Indoor Championships, which were also held in Torun. I was young then, but very ambitious and I wanted to perform my best in front of my home crowd,’ emphasised Anna Matuszewicz. – Now I’m already in the senior stakes and I’m getting closer to the front. I hope that I will get a chance to compete in the most important indoor event in the world already in Kujawsko-Pomorskie.

 

There is less than a year left until the event, so after the official hanging of the flag in front of the Marshal’s Office building, the organisers are starting to work even harder so that each of the 700 athletes, several hundred media representatives from all over the world, as well as volunteers and fans, can enjoy the event held in the Arena Toruń. – We are already after the first visit of the World Athletics Federation delegation and have received comments and suggestions, as well as detailed protocols. There is a lot of hard work ahead of us, but I am sure it will be an unforgettable event,’ concluded Krzysztof Wolsztynski.

 

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

and the Polish Association of Athletics

 

27 March 2025.