Natalia Kaczmarek: The Polish sensation chasing gold in the 400m

With a sensational track record and currently in peak physical condition, the hard work seems to be paying off for Polish athletics star Natalia Kaczmarek, who is currently enjoying a career and personal peak at the Paris Olympics.

Kaczmarek has made it to Wednesday's semifinals (August 7) in women's 400m at the Paris Olympics after winning her heat on Monday.

Her time of 49.98 was one of the best performances in the heat stage of the 400m, but is some way off her best time of 48.90, recorded just prior to the Games on July 20, 2024.

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If she continues to improve through the semifinals to regain the form she saw going into the Olympics, there is no question she can challenge for the gold. Let's look back at her journey so far.

Born in Drezdenko in January 1998, Kaczmarek has become one of the most famous Polish athletes on the international stage.

Not only are her athletic results outstanding, but they're also incredibly consistent. Since 2020 she has been on the podium at all the most important competitions.

Kaczmarek's leap in quality began at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

The Polish athlete left Japan with Olympic gold in the mixed 4x400 and silver in the women's 4x400.

Since then, not a single year has passed without the athlete adding another medal to her track record.

In 2021, she finished third in the women's 4x400 relay at the European Indoor Championships in Torun, Poland.

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A year later, she again won the bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, also in the women's 4×400 meter relay, as covered by World Athletics.

Also in 2022, at the European Championships in Munich, Kaczmarek won two silver medals: in the women's 400m and the 4x400 m relay.

In 2023, at the European Games in Chorzów in Poland, Kaczmarek again took silver but this time in the mixed disciplines 400 m and 4x400 m.

Kaczmarek's sporting accomplishments, coupled with her athletic physique, has seen her become the face of several high-profile brands.

The Polish star has contracts with companies such as New Balance, Olimp Sport Nutrition and the Aorlen Group.

Kaczmarek is looking at a big final week at the Olympics this week. Although the Polish mixed relay team couldn't repeat their Tokyo 2020 success on Saturday, there's every chance the women can improve on their silver medal and Natalia Kaczmarek could secure her place in history with a gold in the 400m. We can't wait for Wednesday!

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