Polish Luge Athletes Complain About Conditions, Association President Responds Sharply to Allegations

Polish luge athletes Dominika Piwkowska and Nikola Domowicz, representing the UKS Nowiny Wielkie club, achieved a historic success at the Olympic Games by finishing sixth in the women's doubles event. This was the best result for a Polish luge team at the Games, which drew media attention to this typically marginalized sport.

However, it turned out that the joy of the result was overshadowed by a public dispute between the athletes and the managers of Polish luge. In statements after the competition, Piwkowska and Domowicz complained about difficult preparation conditions and insufficient organizational and financial support from the Polish Luge Association. Their criticism was met with a sharp and personal response from the association's president, Dr. Zdzisław Ingielewicz. In an interview with Przegląd Sportowy, he described the athletes' allegations as "talking nonsense" and stated it was "one achievement and a storm in their heads." His tone was also confirmed by Marek Skowroński, adding that the athletes' statements were "stupidity."

Luge, as a winter sport, has always been in the shadow of more popular sports in Poland, such as ski jumping or cross-country skiing. The first Olympic medal for Poland in this discipline (bronze) was won only in 2018 by the pair Tomasz Kowalik and Jakub Kowalewski. Historically, Polish luge has struggled with limited access to ice tracks and a small budget.

Meanwhile, in the athletes' home municipality of Witnica, their success was met with enthusiasm and pride. A ceremonial meeting was organized at the Witnica community center, where Piwkowska and Domowicz were welcomed by younger athletes from the club and the president of UKS Nowiny Wielkie, Zofia Pocztarek. For the local community, where sport often develops thanks to the passion and commitment of volunteers, the Olympic achievement is proof that even from small centers one can reach the world's peak. The meeting, full of autographs and emotion, showed the other side of this story – local support and recognition, which contrasts with the conflict at the national level.

„„Jedno osiągnięcie i burza w głowie. Atakują związek i opowiadają bzdury, nie mając pojęcia jak funk”” (One achievement and a storm in their heads. They attack the association and talk nonsense, having no idea how sport functions.) — dr Zdzisław Ingielewicz

This dispute has called into question the model of support for niche Olympic disciplines in Poland. On one hand, there are youth sports clubs, such as UKS Nowiny Wielkie, which are often the cradle of talent but operate based on limited resources and community enthusiasm. On the other – the national sports association, which manages the discipline and distributes public funds. Allegations of lack of support and the president's controversial reaction point to deeper problems in communication and management, which may discourage young athletes. The story of Piwkowska and Domowicz shows that even a great sporting success does not eliminate the tensions and systemic challenges faced by Polish sport.