At just 17, Kuś became a standout athlete, recently clinching gold at the 2024 European Athletics U18 Championships in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia in record-breaking style.
Kuś, hailing from Olsztyn, northern Poland, sprinted 400 meters in an impressive 51.89 seconds, breaking both the Polish junior record and the competition record, which had stood since 2016.
Kuś's achievement marks her as the fourth Polish woman this year to run 400 meters in under 52 seconds, a feat that has not only won her gold but also a potential spot on the Polish Olympic relay team.
Her performance caught the attention of Aleksander Matusiński, the national relay team coach, highlighting her as a promising talent in Polish athletics.
The young sprinter's journey to the top intensified over the past month. After setting a new junior national record, she made it to the finals at the senior national championships in Bydgoszcz, clocking 52.26 seconds.
Kuś, daughter of former Polish football player Marcin Kuś, has quickly transitioned from a national junior champion to an Olympic athlete.
At the European Championships, Kuś was one of the favorites and lived up to expectations. Her main competition came from Kara Dacosta of Great Britain, who pushed Kuś in the final rounds.
Dacosta, who had broken the 53-second mark with a time of 52.79 seconds in the semifinals, finished with silver, while the bronze went to Madelief van Leur of the Netherlands, with a time of 53.19 seconds.
Kuś's final sprint mirrored the prowess of Stanisław Strzelecki, another Polish athlete who triumphed in the 400 meters just a quarter-hour before her.
Her dominant performance in the last 100 meters expanded her lead, securing her the gold and marking a significant milestone in her burgeoning track career.
(rt/gs)
Source: eurosport.tvn24.pl, sport.interia.pl
