Kacper Tomasiak Olympic Gold Medalist: Dilemmas Over Bonuses and Competitions

The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo concluded with an unprecedented success for the Polish team, whose face has become 19-year-old Kacper Tomasiak. The ski jumper, after official confirmation of results by the International Olympic Committee, was honored with gold and silver medals. These achievements come with a massive financial injection. It is estimated that Tomasiak will receive nearly 2 million Polish zloty from the Polish Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sport, as well as a luxury apartment. The athlete himself is approaching the rewards with great caution, declaring his intention to secure his future by investing in real estate, which is meant to protect him from financial instability after his sports career ends. The system of rewarding Polish Olympic medalists has evolved from modest per diems to multi-million bonuses and apartments, aiming to professionalize sports and ensure athletes' livelihood after retirement.Meanwhile, the president of PZN, Adam Małysz, is tempering enthusiasm in public appearances and warning about a dazzling career. The legendary athlete noted that Tomasiak has better mental strength than he did at that age, but cautions against "false friends" who appear with big money. Małysz also lifted the veil on an unusual meeting with the sports minister, which was recorded and shows the difficult relations on the athlete-authority line. A major event is planned in Zakopane with Małysz, Tomasiak, and Robert Kubica, who has been announced as the "joker" in a new ski jumping promotional project. „Na pewno większą część przeznaczę na jakieś mieszkanie w celu inwestycji, bo w sporcie często te pieniądze się szybko kończą, jeśli tej formy brakuje.” (I will certainly allocate a large part for some apartment as an investment, because in sports this money often runs out quickly if you lose your form.) — Kacper TomasiakThe situation in other disciplines is more complex. Władimir Semirunnij, the silver medalist in the 10,000 meters, made a surprising decision to donate his medal to the Ice Arena in Tomaszów Mazowiecki, causing consternation among some officials. Meanwhile, Polish ice hockey, despite record viewership of the USA-Canada final on TVP, has been subjected to harsh criticism as a discipline "in decline" and not matching Olympic standards. Health problems have also affected Tomasiak's German rival, who had to withdraw from planned World Cup starts in Bad Mitterndorf due to injury. Kacper Tomasiak himself will also be absent from the World Cup, as he is focusing on the Junior World Championships in Lillehammer according to his training plan.