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He was thrilled when Julia Szeremeta won her quarterfinal bout, securing at least a bronze medal. He had the privilege of being in her corner alongside head coach Tomasz Dylak. Erwin has been working with the Polish Boxing Association’s women’s national team for four years, spending over 300 days a year traveling with them.
Szeremeta’s Olympic silver medal — Poland’s first boxing medal in 32 years — was also a personal victory for him and the entire coaching staff. Elżbieta Wójcik was also close to the podium but fell victim to controversial judging in her quarterfinal match.
“Beyond the sport itself, the organization of the Games and the overall atmosphere were incredible. The Olympic Village made a huge impression — we stayed there from July 22 to August 12. It’s just WOW! Buildings draped in flags, almost everyone in national tracksuits — a small city built for sports,” he recalls.
Bronze for Poland’s Rowing Quadruple Sculls Team, with Support from a Rehasport Specialist
Dr. Maria Wolff, who for the past three years has helped structure the medical team for the Polish Rowing Federation, celebrated the bronze medal won by the men’s quadruple sculls team. She has accompanied Team Poland at their most important events.
In Paris, Poland had two medal chances in rowing, though realistically just one — in the men's quadruple sculls. And the crew, coached by legendary trainer Aleksander Wojciechowski, delivered. The Rehasport physician celebrated the bronze medal alongside them.
While Poland’s track and field athletes had reasons for surprise rather than joy — bringing home just one medal from Paris compared to nine in Tokyo — that single medal was won in spectacular fashion. Natalia Kaczmarek took bronze in the 400 meters in a thrilling final.
And because she’s a sprinter, it was an emotional moment for Agata Kępa, a Rehasport physiotherapist who works mainly with 100m and 200m sprinters.
“Taking part in the Olympics, living in the Village among the world’s best athletes, and cheering on Team Poland was an unforgettable experience,” says Agata.
Polish Sailors Close to the Podium — Just Short of Glory
Polish sailors, based far south of Paris in Marseille, had their own Olympic Village and the largest sailing team in Polish history. They were supported by four Rehasport specialists: physician Dr. Witold Dudziński (MD, PhD), strength and conditioning coach Mariusz Goliński, and physiotherapists Mateusz Potoczny and Kacper Abramowski — the latter making his Olympic debut.
They too experienced moments of both joy and heartbreak. Paweł Tarnowski came within reach of a semifinal appearance — and a top-five finish — but a small mistake cost the world silver medalist his favored position.
Similarly, the 49er duo Dominik Buksak/Szymon Wierzbicki and Julia Damasiewicz in Formula Kite were in medal contention. Ultimately, four Polish sailors finished in the top ten — a strong result, albeit tinged with disappointment due to poor sailing weather.
