The second edition of the Lower Silesian Athletics Meet for Primary Schools was held on Wednesday, April 9, at the stadium in Świętoszów. Nearly 400 people took part in the event: primary school pupils from across the voivodeship and students from three military high schools.
The young athletes competed in the following events: 60- and 600-meter races, the long jump, medicine-ball throw and high jump. In addition, well-known Polish athletes accepted an invitation to the Świętoszów event: Marek Plawgo, Paweł Januszewski and Tomasz Rudnik, conducting a professional warm-up and taking on the role of referees.
Fans of sporting thrills could also enjoy attractions including fitness demonstrations by former soldiers of Bolesławiec’s 62nd Special Company (Military Unit 2457), an air-rifle shooting demonstration, target throwing with grenades, knives and throwing stars, a commando run and a climbing demonstration.
More than just a computer
“This event is intended to encourage children to take up sport and draw them away from the computer,” says Bartosz Gruman, the meet’s co-organizer and originator. “Until now, there has been no event in the calendar that could help identify truly talented young athletes,” he notes.
Nearly 150 more people competed in the second edition than in the previous one. Much of the credit goes to the great athletes who graced the Świętoszów meet. “Initiatives like this need to be supported,” Paweł Januszewski, the 1998 European champion in the hurdles, told Boleslawiec.org / IstotneInformacje.pl. “This may sound banal, but the joy of these children and the emotions that accompany it are the greatest reward both for Bartek [Grumana – przyp. red.] and for me,” the outstanding athlete added.
“I was once in these children’s place. I myself took part in competitions attended by stars of Polish athletics,” Marek Plawgo, the Polish record holder in the hurdles, recalled during a press conference at Kliczków Castle. – “Artur Partyka was supposed to come, but Agata Karczmarek, the Polish record holder in the long jump, appeared instead. I still remember that it was hugely exciting. It was something that made me catch the sports bug.”
Why did both outstanding athletes choose athletics? “There is nothing more beautiful than athletics. It is sport in its purest form. Here, every athlete is the architect of their own fate,” says Marek Plawgo. “It is a measurable discipline. The winner is not the person with connections, but the one who is able to overcome themselves,” adds Paweł Januszewski.
Plans
Bartosz Gruman and MKS Bolesłavia have no intention of resting on their laurels. “We would like next year’s meet to be an international event,” the originator admits. “I have already spoken with the Czech Athletics Federation and several German clubs that we are friendly with,” he adds. It is already known that the next edition will be held at the weekend.
Boleslawiec.org / IstotneInformacje.pl was the event’s media patron.
(MZ/GA report)