Bartosz
Smęda

Triathlon is not just a sport that I do — it is my great passion and way of life.

My name’s Bartosz Smęda and I come from Głogów. At present I live and train in Szczecin, Poland. I’m a multiple medalist in the National Triathlon League and the Polish Championship in sprint and olympic distance triathlon and aquathlon.

I was born on April 10th 1986, and has always been keen on sport. Swimming was the first discipline that I was trained for in my first sport club, MKS PIAST GŁOGÓW. My promising sport results have always been my biggest motivation - Citius-Altius-Fortius (faster, higher, stronger), the Olympic motto sums it up most accurately.

The year 2000 was a breakthrough in my career when a legend of Polish triathlon, Jerzy Górski, noticed me and was impressed by my fine performance. I’ll always be grateful that a World Champion in Double Ultra Triathlon introduced me to triathlon, a broader discipline he mastered, and was willing to pass it on. Our cooperation lasted five years but my love for triathlon lasts a lifetime.

When I started studying at the Faculty of Physical Education of University of Szczecin, since my address changed, I also had to choose a new sport club. So, I picked IronMan CS Poland Szczecin and I’ve been a member of it till now. When I joined the club, I could count on a Triathlon World Champion, Dariusz Czyżowicz. I remember him being a wonderful trainer with thorough theoretical and practical knowledge. During 9 years of mutual trainings I developed significantly and gained considerable amount of knowledge.

As for now, my team of trainers is even stronger including Poland’s representatives in World Championships and Olympic Games, Rafał Wójcik, Łukasz Chyła and Tomasz Skiba. They supervise my daily activity and make sure my physical condition is getting better each day.

Besides being a part of IronMan CS Polska Szczecin, I also compete in German Bundesliga as a member of TuS Neukölln Berlin.

Since 2014 I’ve been an active soldier in the Polish military service. I take great pride in representing the army in all sorts of races and championships, both national and worldwide.

During my spare time, when I don’t train and I’m not on duty, I teach children swimming and techniques of different swimming styles. Another trainings that I conduct are in the field of the other triathlon disciplines namely cycling and running. Being a professional means I can share valuable tips with everyone who is eager to swim, run and ride a bike correctly.

My life dream and biggest goal is competing in the Olympic Games and World Championships, and I’ve been training hard to make it happen.