by Stuart Weir
Piotr Lisek took the win Bydgoszcz, this is from his 6.01NR in Lausanne! photo by PhotoRun.net
Piotr is one of our favorite European athletes. We have interviewed Piotr all over, but especially loved his comments, along iwth Sam Kendricks in Torun, on the uniqueness of pole vaulters. This is Stuartr Weir’s thoughtful comments on the hosts of the 2019 Super League.
Poland were worthy winners of the European Team Championships Super League. They finished with 345 points ahead of Germany (317.5), France (316.5) and Italy (316). Great Britain where fifth on 302.5. With the super league reducing from twelve to eight countries for 2021, Czech Republic, Sweden, Greece, Finland and Switzerland drop out with Portugal promoted for winning league one.
Poland’s success is an indication of their improved standing in European Athletics. It also reflected the benefit of being the host nation – not just for the crowd’s support but also that a home championship ensures that more of your star athletes want to participate. Poland followed their five victories on day two with a win for Adam Kszczot (men’s 800m), Sofia Ennaoui (women’s 1500m), Piotr Lisek (Pole-vault) Piotr Malachowski (Discus) and the women’s 4 by 400 relay.
The following quotes from Polish victories gives you a flavour of what it meant to compete successfully in their own country.
“The win and 12 points are satisfying. I know everyone expects a lot of me now, but 5.80 is high-class vaulting, too. The competition was a really good one for me. The conditions were not the best with some wind”. Piotr Lisek
“I´m happy I could run in Poland in front of a fantastic crowd who helped me a lot on last 150 meters”. Adam Kszczot
“We are grateful to the crowd. Running here in front of them we were getting goosebumps”. Anna Kielbasinska
“Bydgoszcz is my city, this is my audience, I am extremely happy”. Iga Baumgart-Witan.
I was unable to find out that the official attendance but I would estimate that there were between 10 and 15,000 on Saturday and Sunday. It was well organized and well supported and a credit to Polish athletics.
