Chor. w st. spocz. Rafał Korzeniewski silver medalist Invictus Games 2025 in cross-country skiing. The bronze on the Skeleton track was won by Lieutenant Sebastian Starostka and Captain Piotr Maletka. Thank the fans, due to the fact that they're the ones who carried us. We do this for a household that has lost us for a long time, and now, fortunately, we are slow recovering," said Korzenewski after the race.
Olympic Village, Whistler, Canada. 3 players are set to compete in cross-country skiing. 2 of them have very advanced amputated legs, moving on skied wheelchairs. The third, although standing on its own strength and on 2 skis, will race with a guide. He needs backup due to the fact that he lost his sight as a consequence of wounds sustained in the war. specified images on Invictus Games are not uncommon.
In the Olympic village, veterans compete in cross-country skiing and biathlon, taking part in various categories, including sex or disability.
Film: Magdalena Kowalska-Sendek, Marcin Kopieć / ArmouredTV
In cross-country skiing Poland was represented by 8 players: Sgt. Rafał Sidorczuk, young chor. Emil Uran, chor. staff. Dariusz Gaweł, Captain Marcin Burzyński, Lieutenant Mariusz Sawicki, St. Chor. in the St. of Rafał Korzeniewski, Sergeant Piotr Leśniak and Plut. Andrzej Kuciński. Veterans on cross-country skiing had to overcome the 750 m long loop as shortly as possible. This was a challenge not only due to the fact that the gear tracks are very slippery, so the players would fall and lose valuable seconds all moment, but due to the fact that it is very cold in here. On the day of the competition the temperature ranged from –17 to –10°C.
– We prepared carefully for a year – says the only Polish medalist in this discipline sick. in St. Rest. Rafał Korzenewski. The veteran won a silver medal at Invictus Games. – large thanks to the fans, they carried us like Husarias. With their support, this was a fascinating experience. We are here for a household that has lost us through our service for a long time, and now we are slow recovering – admits the player.
– It ran very well, even though I scored a tipper on 1 of the faults – it evaluates immediately after the spit run. Andrzej Kuciński. I wasn't calculating, I was just doing my job, and I was chasing a player who was ahead of me. I tried my best, I put my full heart into it. I am a winner due to the fact that I am here – he adds. The Petty Officer stressed the importance of cheering fans. “This helps, no uncertainty the Polish representation has the best fans in the world,” she notes. “I was only so happy erstwhile I proposed to my wife and children were born,” says the moved spit. Kuciński.
On the same day, the Biathlon competition was besides played. Poland was represented by 4 veterans: Mr Grzegorz Jankowski, Mróz, Adam Lewkowski, and Adam Lewkowski. We were hoping for medals due to the fact that the day before the training, the soldiers achieved large results, unfortunately, already during the competition they were outside the first three. It's a tough sport. The player must calculate whether to give his best while skiing and then to fatigue hazard failing to scope the target, or save himself on the loop and then equalize his breath and hit the shield – explains Major Margaret Kalita, the boss sports squad of Polish representation. According to the rules, the players were beaten at 750 m, then with a laser firearm they fired 5 shots. For each customized shot they had to beat an additional lap – a loop of about 80 m.
After the finished competition, Polish veterans met with Prince Harry who hosted Whistler. There were hugs, photos and a short conversation.
As the Olympic village finished their struggles, others on a sports facility respective decades distant were just warming up. 2 Polish soldiers competed on Tuesday and both won medals! Brown discs in different weight categories won cf. Sebastian Starostka and Captain Peter Maletka. Both made an excellent ride on sleds, reaching 100 km/h.
Several another Poles competed on the same track the day before: young chor. Emil Uran, young chor. Adam Lewkowski, st. chor. staff. Dariusz Gaweł, Captain Marcin Burzyński, St. Chor. in the St. Rafał Korzeniewski, plut. Andrzej Kuciński and Sergeant Arkadiusz Studziński. In the general classification they took good seats but did not win medals. “Emotions were immense during the reunion, although I will admit that I was not frightened or stressed at all before”, says the staff just after the reunion. Darius Gawel. – I am the oldest player of our team, I am 56 years old, they call me “Grandfather”. I wanted to show them, myself, to my loved ones, that I could do it. I did, and I had a large time. If I could, I would do it again – he emphasizes.
Skeleton was very much experienced by all Poles. No wonder, going down an ice track at 100 km/h sleds must origin emotions. It's a super feeling, I didn't think it would be so exciting. This is the longest 30 s of my life – the sergeant confesses. Arkadiusz Studzinski. I think I'm gonna remember the skill set for life. We do not have a track for this discipline in Poland, so we did not have a chance at training, nor to effort at all in this discipline – says Mr Lewkowski. “After the first turn, man has already taken up specified a velocity that he loses control of everything, and with each subway the velocity increases. We only saw 3 meters ahead, so there was no way to know what would happen next. Adrenaline was buzzing, the heart was pounding like crazy, says the CO.
Before Poles, further disciplines. present at Whistler they will compete in downhill skiing and snowboarding.
