What changed
2026-08-11 12:11 UTC → 2026-08-14 13:13 UTC ·
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In mid-July, Polish 400m specialist Following Justyna Święty-Ersetic announced she would sit out Święty-Ersetic’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 European Athletics Championships to prioritize her for health and mental well-being, withdrawing from both individual and relay events and leaving a gap in Poland’s relay squads. A few weeks later, reasons, rising star Anastazja Kuś captured has emerged as a key figure for the Polish relay squads. After winning gold in the 400m at the World U20 Championships, setting a new Polish U20 record. Her victory secured a place at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, where she is being considered for the mixed and women’s 4x400m relay teams, offering a potential replacement for the absent veteran. Following her gold medal win in Eugene, USA, where she clocked with a time of 51.06 seconds to become the first seconds—setting a new Polish woman to win this specific event at the U20 World Championships, Kuś traveled to Birmingham record—Kuś transitioned to participate in the senior European Athletics Championships. Competing Championships in Birmingham. In the mixed 4x400m relay alongside relay, Kuś and Natalia Bukowiecka, Bukowiecka led the Polish team finished in fourth place to a fourth-place finish with a time of 3:12.07, narrowly missing a medal despite achieving their best result of the season. While Kuś’s individual performance was highlighted as exceptional, medal. In the broader performance of women’s 4x400m relay, the Polish delegation at the World U20 Championships was described by analysts as underwhelming. Poland finished 17th team—comprising Anna Gryc, Alicja Wrona-Kutrzepa, Kinga Gacka, and Kuś—secured a place in the medal standings and 25th final. Kuś played a decisive role in the points classification, earning 17 total points. Other notable Polish finishes at heats, overtaking competitors during the event included seventh final exchange to secure fifth place in her heat with a time of 3:26.92, allowing the men's 4x400m relay and eighth place in men's discus. team to advance as one of the fastest non-automatic qualifiers. Despite the success, Kuś noted she was still struggling with acclimatization following her travel from the United States. The squad is expected to be strengthened for the final with the potential return of Natalia Bukowiecka.