Poland faces the “Sheremeta effect”? “We are prepared for it”
We talk to coaches, activists and athletes associated with Polish boxing about the so-called “Szeremeta Effect”, which may now sweep through Polish sport.
Under the Świętokrzyski Bridge in Warsaw, at the height of the Mermaid monument, once a week boxing coach Krzysztof Wójcik (the one who was seen by the whole of Poland, as he enthusiastically welcomed Julia Szeremeta with a bouquet of flowers at the Warsaw Chopin Airport after returning from Paris) gives free coaching advice to everyone who comes to this place. And he will do it until the end of the holidays. As part of promoting boxing. And people of all ages come: from young people to parents who bring their children.
– I do it willingly, because I think that Polish boxing – also, and perhaps primarily, thanks to Julia Szeremeta, has entered a beautiful phase. Do I expect more people at my training sessions? – wonders coach Krzysztof Wójcik. – Probably yes. Although – in my opinion – it will not go beyond the framework of “Małyszomania”, when all of Poland wanted to jump on skis. It will probably last a few months. But I do not rule out that new talents will be found, especially among girls, who sometimes seem to have bigger balls than guys when boxing.
Coaches unofficially
The day after Julia Szeremeta won the silver medal at the Olympic Games, a new training cycle began – preparations for the Olympics in Los Angeles. As I hear, talking to coaches and competitors, everyone is convinced that the Polish woman fought a man.
– Officially, no one will tell you that, because of political correctness. But we, coaches, think that it’s very bad that it’s become such a big mess and a mess. The IBA vs. IOC conflict may result in us saying goodbye to boxing at the Games. It’s already being mentioned, but there’s no clear decision yet – says one of the coaches. – The whole situation wouldn’t have happened if clear karyotype tests of the players had been shown. Why wasn’t that done?
