Natalia
Bukowiecka
Natalia
Bukowiecka
She specialises in the 400 m sprint.
She began professional athletics training
at the age of 16, when her first coach noticed her after she moved to a larger city.
That moment marked the beginning of her career. She won her first gold medal in the relay at the European Championships
in Berlin (2018). Soon after, her string of successes began. In 2024,
, Natalia broke Irena Szewińska's 48-year-old Polish record at the European Championships in Rome.
2024
European Championships (400m)Rome
gold medal
2023
World ChampionshipsBudapest
silver medal
2023
European Games (4x400 and 400 metres)Krakow
silver medal x2
2022
European Championships (4x400 and 400 metres)Munich
silver medal x2
2022
Indoor World Championships (4x400)Belgrade
bronze medal
2021
European Indoor Championships (4x400)Toruń
bronze medal
2020
Olympic Games (4x400)Tokyo
silver medal
2020
Olympic Games (4x400 mixed)Tokyo
gold medal
2019
European Youth ChampionshipsGävle (4x400 and 400 metres)
gold medal x2
2018
European Championships (4x400)Berlin
gold medal
2018
World Indoor Championships (4x400)Birmingham
silver medal
When did your adventure with sports begin?
I started training athletics professionally at the age of 16. I come from a small town where there was no club or coach, so it was only when I went to high school and moved to a bigger city that my first coach noticed me and I started training.
Do you play any other sports, do you ever try something different?
Before I started training in athletics, I tried various sports and I like many of them, such as tennis and skiing. Unfortunately, due to lack of time and the risk of injury, I can't afford to do them now.
Who or what motivates you to train regularly?
I motivate myself and my desire to achieve success and improve my personal bests.
What do you consider your greatest personal or professional success?
I consider my entire career to be a success. I have come a long way, which has taught me a lot, and I value all my medals equally because I won them at different stages of my career and they mean something different to me.
What is your life motto?
Per aspera ad astra.
Your biggest dream?
To create a warm, family home.
Who inspires you? Do you have an idol?
Allyson Felix inspires me not only as an exceptional athlete, but also as a woman. I admire her attitude and courage in speaking about important issues, especially those concerning women.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
As a fulfilled former athlete. In a house with a garden, with children and a few pets.
Your best result, your most important record?
I don't have one, every personal best is equally important to me because it means progress. And I hope I haven't said my last word yet.
What do you think: is breaking records a matter of luck or hard training?
Definitely hard work, not only physical but also mental.
How do you spend your free time?
I like quiet entertainment that allows me to catch my breath between hard training sessions and numerous trips. I do jigsaw puzzles, go for walks with my dog, but I also like to watch a good TV series.
If you weren't an athlete, you would be...?
Currently, I can't see myself in any other role :)
