The Gala of Champions took place on Saturday Sportsi.e. the 90th edition of the plebiscite during which the Best Athletes of Poland are selected. This year there were as many as 25 nominees from 16 different sports disciplines. The last two editions were dominated by Iga Świątek, who this year could not appear at the event in person because will fight in the United Cup final.
Sports Champions Gala: Iga Świątek off the podium
Quite unexpectedly, the bronze medalist of the Olympic Games and winner of another Grand Slam at Roland Garros did not defend her title. In this year's plebiscite, the tennis player even missed the podium, ultimately taking fourth place.
The second rocket in the world prepared a special recording in which she thanked everyone who voted for her. – This year was demanding. I'm glad that the fans appreciate me. I would like to congratulate other athletes, especially since the Olympic year is not easy. I hope you have a great time and I can come someday. Now I have two tournaments ahead of me, which will be of great importance this season – said Świątek in a special recording quoted by Przegląd Sportowy “Onet”.
Tomasz Świątek appeared on stage to receive the award on behalf of his daughter. – This year was a bit sweet and sour. All the fuss around Iga gave us a lot of humility and showed us that we have to approach many things carefully. From here I would like to thank the staff and sponsors, he said.
Iga Świątek's place shocked fans and experts
To say that Iga Świątek's place is a big surprise is like saying nothing. Many people reacted to the tennis player's sensational place in the plebiscite. “I never question the results of plebiscites, because that's the fun of it – everyone votes as they like, and I don't care. But I admit that I haven't been so surprised for a long time – Iga Świątek, the greatest figure of Polish sports also in 2024, in only fourth place,” wrote Rafał Stec.
See also: Celt issued a verdict regarding Świątek's playing in the national team. Zero doubts
Former footballer and agent Cezary Kucharski posted his comment under the entry about the Pole. “Iga Świątek's 4th place in the plebiscite Przegląd Sportowy this is a failure of her management” – we read. In turn, according to Łukasz Jachimiak from Sport.pl, Iga Świątek took “only 4th place”. The journalist also wrote: “Iga Świątek got used to such successes that people considered the following to be an average result:
- 5 tournament wins, including the Grand Slam Roland Garros
- Olympic medal
- most of the year spent at No. 1 in the world
- As many as 64 matches won and only 9 losses”
Who won the 90th plebiscite of “Przegląd Sportowy”?
“Iga Świątek's 4th place is also a great joke. It shows our mentality. More, more and even more. Sometimes I catch myself doing it. Iga has had a 7/10 season, but let's be moderate. A slam + a Olympic medal doesn't mean a podium? I guess we brought a bag of gold from the Olympics,” said Hubert Błaszczyk.
This year's Sports Champions Gala was full of surprises. “On the lowest rung of the podium was Wilfredo Leon, a member of the team that won the Olympic vice-championship in Paris. The receiver during that tournament was the best scoring and serving player. The second place went to Natalia Bukowiecka, the bronze medalist from Paris. In turn, the entire The plebiscite was won by the Olympic champion and world record holder in sport climbing, Aleksandra Mirosław! – he reported in Sport.pl Jakub Trochimowicz.