Karolina Naja, Anna Puławska, Adrianna Kąkol and Dominika Putto were among the favourites to win an Olympic medal in Paris. The “Atomic Girls” won silver at the world championships last year and fans could count on them to at least repeat this result at the games.
Unfortunately, the Polish team did not even manage to win a medal. The Polish national team finished fourth with a time of 1:33.17, behind the New Zealanders, Germans and Hungarians. They lost to the latter by only 0.24 seconds and, just like in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, they finished just off the podium.
Big dissatisfaction. Here is the reaction to the performance of the “Atomówki” from the Polish K-4 team in the 500 meters
Experts are reacting to the rather unexpected result of the Polish crew. Their message is dominated by regret and dissatisfaction that our country failed to win another medal. Especially since the White and Reds were among the favorites.
“The kayak four, unfortunately, without a medal. The Polish team took fourth place, 0.24 seconds short of the podium,” wrote Agnieszka Niedziałek from Sport.pl.
“Unfortunately, the Polish foursome won't win a medal,” added Łukasz Jachimiak from Sport.pl, citing the results of the Polish women from recent years. The White and Red K-4 crew took fourth place for the fourth time in the last 16 years.
“The Polish K-4 500 m crew consisting of Karolina Naja, Anna Puławska, Adrianna Kąkol, Dominika Putto unfortunately missed the podium. Our competitors took 4th place in the final,” wrote the president of the Polish Olympic Committee, Radosław Piesiewicz.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz was slightly more pleased. “A wonderful, fierce race! Our kayakers: Senior Private Naja, Senior Private Puławska, Senior Special Private Putto and Private Kąkol won a high 4th place in the K4 500 competition during the #Paris2024 games. It was just a little bit short. Thank you for another sporting excitement and fighting until the end,” wrote the Minister of National Defense.
“Unfortunately, the disastrous start of the Polish women, who had to make up a lot, did its job. No medal…” – says Marcin Malawko from watch-esa.pl.
“Atomówki 4” – wrote Mateusz Ligęza from Radio Zet in short. Unfortunately, this time, the Polish players did not show the strength that characterized the famous characters from the fairy tale.
“Unfortunately, the top four kayakers are off the podium. After getting out of the kayak, a strong team hug,” added Mateusz Górecki from TVP Sport and published a photo of the competitors hugging.
“Unfortunately, this day did not have a “medal vibe”. It's a good result, but of course it is disappointing, because this crew had one of the biggest chances for a medal,” added Michał Cichowski from NFLPolska.com.