Paweł Fajdek is one of the most successful Polish athletes in the 21st century. A difficult year followed – at the Olympic Games in Paris he failed to win a medal and finished in fifth place. His best throw landed at 78 meters and 80 centimeters. Unfortunately, these were Fajdek's first games during which a big fan couldn't cheer him on.
Paweł Fajdek's life stopped. It goes back to difficult times
On May 4, 2024, the world Paweł Fajdek knew ended. A month before the hammerhead's birthday, his father – Waldemar – died. The athlete returned to those sad moments in an honest interview.
– I was about to take part in another competition. The form was really promising because I was throwing above 80-81 meters. Suddenly the world turned upside down and time stopped. Everything that had been worked out was thrown aside. It was necessary to take care of the family situation and clean up everything as quickly as possible to prepare for the Games – he said in an interview with TVP Sport.
Fajdek revealed that he had to deal with a family tragedy and move on. More calls were waiting for him – both sports and private ones.
– As a man, the head of the family, I had to deal with it as quickly as possible to think about what to do next. We must draw conclusions from every tragedy, even the greatest. We must not forget that life goes on and that I have someone to worry about. I had to do everything to get over it and rise to the challenge, he admitted.
Paweł Fajdek is undoubtedly one of the most successful Polish athletes in the 21st century. He is a five-time world champion in hammer throw and a three-time medalist of the European Championships in this event. In 2021, he won a bronze medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.