The feeling of clinching an Olympic medal for the first time will always be cherished by Klaudia Zwolinska.
But the emotions she experiences when she presents that piece of silverware into the hands of wide-eyed young schoolchildren are far greater.
On July 28, 2024, Zwolinska became the first woman from her country to win an Olympic medal in Canoe Slalom with women’s kayak silver.
It was an historic moment for Poland and a landmark moment for Zwolinska.
But it was a moment that became about something bigger than herself.
“I found out this happiness I had was only for me, my family, and the spectators, of course but actually this a little bit selfish.
“I felt it would be good to share this happiness with other people.”
A little over one month after receiving the Olympic medal, Zwolinska put it up for auction.
She did that to raise funds for cystic fibrosis patients.
But she still wanted to do more to share the joy she experienced that day in Paris and influence paddlers of the future.
“Before the Olympic Games, I had already experienced sharing my journey as an athlete to children so then I thought maybe let’s try to create a real project,” said Zwolinska.
“Let’s get the support from the Government, find the sponsors and create a project that inspires kids.”
That idea soon became a reality when she launched the Na Fali project.
The initiative sees Zwolinska visit 10 primary schools in the Małopolska Voivodeship located in southern Poland.
Zwolinska introduces the schoolchildren to the world of paddle sport in an accessible and engaging way.
“I chose the south of Poland because that's where slalom is strongest,” said Zwolinska.
“We have many slalom clubs there, so I selected schools near those clubs to inspire children and invite them into our sport.
“The project is mainly aimed at younger children, but usually we gather the whole school for one meeting.
“We talk with them, inspire them through our journeys as athletes, and share stories.”
Last year, Zwolinska captured two golds at the World Championships in Sydney but insists it is just as important to discuss setbacks as successes.
“We don't speak as professional athletes only to kids who might become professional athletes,” she said.
“We talk about the values sport can give everyone: discipline, motivation, and ways to deal with stress.
“Not everyone will become a professional athlete, but they can use these lessons throughout their lives.
“Then the children get to try paddling on a simulator, which is always fun. They can hold an Olympic medal, look at it, and ask questions.
“Honestly, the questions are the best part.
“The questions are amazing because I expected simple questions, but even very young children ask deep things.
“They ask how to deal with emotions, how to handle stress before a competition, what we eat, how to stay healthy and strong. Their questions really surprise me.”
Zwolinska’s project has been boosted by financial support from Poland’s Ministry of Sport and Tourism.
“I gained support from the government by building trust,” said Zwolinska.
“Every step I took showed that people could trust me, that I knew what I was doing, and that the project had a clear purpose.
“I applied for support and received it.
“Then I started looking for sponsors. Sponsorship isn't easy because slalom isn't one of the most popular sports in Poland.
“But when you create something meaningful around your athletic career, people want to support it.
“When what you're doing makes sense, it's easier to build a community around it. People share the same goals and want to help.”
As Zwolinska’s project continues to grow, she remains on a mission to motivate and work with the next generation of paddlers.
“I think this is our duty as athletes,” said Zwolinska.
“We are often role models, and we should use that responsibility well. So let's go for it.”
Related links
