A unique Olympic medal for Poland. This is how the legend says goodbye to the games

There is no doubt that the mere fact of participating in five Olympic Games-level events is something that is very difficult to achieve. But Natalia Czerwonka decided to challenge herself, which she managed to cope with. For the first time at Winter Winter 2010 in Vancouver, and for the last time at Winter Winter 2026 in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Natalia Czerwonka for the last time at the Olympics. The unique story of a speed skater

The standard-bearer of the Polish national team during the Italian Winter Olympics 2026 (together with Kamil Stoch) comes from Lubin, Lower Silesia. Interestingly, already at the first games in which she took part, she won… an Olympic medal. Although only theoretically, because Czerwonka was then a reserve in the team that stood on the podium. Katarzyna Bachleda-Curuś, Luiza Złotkowska and Katarzyna Woźniak won bronze medals.

Four years later, with Czerwonka on the team (plus taking part in the competition), the Poles improved their result – they became Olympic vice-champions. Interestingly, the team was exactly the same as in 2010. This is important because never before or since has a Polish team repeated its medal-winning performance at the Olympic Games. This failed, among other things: bronze ski jumpers, because of the result achieved at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

Czerwonka is not only a great athlete, but also a great inspiration to others. During her long career, the Pole has gone through various, often very difficult, turns. The most famous story is an accident from 2014, an unfortunate collision of a speed skater with… a tractor while riding a bicycle. Ironically, at the Olympic center in Spała.

However, the 2014 Winter Olympics medalist returned to racing, and what’s more, shortly before this year’s Olympics, she once again decided to take up the challenge of fighting for the Olympics. Even before the season, it was not certain whether he would be able to join the World Cup team after resuming his career. Czerwonka, however, did it, and what’s more, she won Olympic qualifications in two distances – 1000 and 1500 meters.

The second one, the crown for the Pole, was played on Friday (i.e. February 20).

This was the mentioned symbolic farewell to Czerwonka. The Pole ultimately took a solid 15th place.

After her start, Czerwonka also posted a moving post on social media. Thanking you for all the support and the presence of fans in the stands during Friday’s performance.

“Dear friends, I am very touched today. And honestly… the only thing I can say now is thank you. Thank you for every word of support, every message, phone call, comment. For being here. For the warmth that flows from you. For your presence – in beautiful moments, but also in more difficult ones. Your support is of great importance to me. Sometimes more than I can put into words. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Czerwonka said.

Interestingly, the Pole will take part in the mass race on Saturday (February 21). This will really be the last opportunity to see the Olympic Games medalist, the legend of winter sports in Poland, at the Games.

And one thing is almost certain – Czerwonka will end this story with positive energy and a smile on her face.

2026 Games in Italy. Where and when to watch the Poles’ starts?

The Polish national team during the opening games consists of 60 athletes. In the 21st century, there has never been a time when a Polish woman or a Pole was not on the Olympic podium during the Winter Olympics. During the last winter games, Poland finished the competition with one medal. The bronze medal was won by ski jumper Dawid Kubacki in the normal hill competition.

Kubacki’s result was beaten at the Winter Winter Olympics 2026 by Kacper Tomasiak, a debutant among Olympians. The 19-year-old great talent won a silver medal in the normal hill competition and a bronze medal in the large hill competition in Predazzo. Additionally, the jumpers also placed second on the podium during the duo competition. Paweł Wąsek performed in the duet alongside Tomasiak.

Another Olympic vice-championship was also won by another Olympic Games debutant, Vladimir Semirunniy, in the 10 km speed skating race.

In the history of the Olympic Games, the Polish national team has won a total of 27 medals – seven gold, ten silver and ten bronze, respectively. Interestingly, the first bronze medal for Poland was won by Franciszek Gąsienica-Groń (Nordic combined) almost exactly 70 years ago, during the Olympic Games in… Cortina d’Ampezzo. This year, history has come full circle in a beautiful Italian-Polish Olympic circle.

Broadcasts from Winter Olympics 2026 in Poland are provided by Telewizja Polska (TVP) and the Discovery group (Eurosport). The event will last until Sunday, February 22.