Prof. Tadeusz Więckowski, Rector of Wrocław University of Technology, the closest family, friends and fellow sportsmen celebrated Paweł Rańda’s 20th anniversary of his sporting career. The event was a complete surprise for the Olympic medalist. The preparations to the event were kept secret until the very end.
Rańda was hardly able to hold back his tears when he entered the University’s Old Senate Room with the accompaniment of the “We are the champions” song, where all the invited guests were awaiting him. The guests included: the AZS (Students Sports Association) authorities, his colleagues, as well as representatives of the municipal and regional authorities. “I’m at a loss for words, I’m not able to say anything. Thank you” – said the moved athlete.
Gratitude was the leitmotif of the meeting. Agnieszka Aleksandrowicz from the “To the Rescue for Children with Cancer” Foundation thanked the sportsman for his kindness and help for the Foundation. “Paweł came to us and said that in fact he couldn’t do much for us but he wanted to do everything possible. And he did really a lot. Each of his visits gives our ill children lots of strength. We love you for that!” The Foundation President handed over to the rower a picture made by the children looked after by the Foundation. Ryszard Stadniuk from the Poland Rowing Assosciation said: “On behalf of fans and other athletes I would like to thank you for all those moments of sporting emotions. It is also an impressive achievement that you managed to reconcile professional sport and family life.”
The initiator and co-organizer of the event was Paweł’s wife, Magdalena. Also, his two sons, Michał and Janek, were present. “It was very difficult to keep everything secret from my husband. At nights, I selected photographs for the presentation, I exchanged e-mails with the University to get all the things teed up. And with success, I think” – said Paweł’s wife. – “I am very proud of all the results and achievements Paweł has attained but only now can I have him at home everyday.”
Prof. Tadeusz Więckowski, Rector of Wrocław University of Technology: “When the idea of organizing the meeting first occurred, I didn’t hesitate for a second. It was here, at our University, that the Olympic medalist met journalists and students just after his arrival from Beijing. Now, Paweł belongs to the Wrocław University of Technology society, he is the President of the University’s Student Sports Club, he will also teach pupils of the University’s High Schools Complex. I am sure he will be able to find new sporting talents there that one day will participate in the Olympic Games. Paweł Rańda ends one of his careers but starts another one. I wish him even greater success in this new role than he achieved as an athlete.”
Among many presents, Rańda received a souvenir of special emotional value. His colleagues from the “Lotto Bydgostia” club presented him with a replica of his Olympic silver medal. The original medal was put up for a charity auction for ill children by Rańda.
A private ceremony closing Paweł Rańda’s sporting career was organized for him on 31st January.
Iwona Szajner, Translation: Dariusz Więcławski
* Paweł Rańda (nickname “Kieras”), born 1979, citizen of Wrocław, active since 1994, member of the Wrocław University of Technology AZS (Students’ Sport Club). At the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, he won a silver medal as member of the coxless four team (together with Miłosz Bernatajtys, Bartłomiej Pawełczak, and Łukasz Pawłowski). He is also a double World Championships bronze medalist, Junior World Champion, as well as a holder of multiple Polish Champion titles in many rowing classes. Currently, he is an employee of the Wrocław University of Technology Department of Physical Education and Sports.
|