Ewa Swoboda between power and resilience in European athletics
La velocista polaca Ewa Swoboda durante una de sus explosivas salidas en los 60 metros indoor, donde es una de las referentes del atletismo europeo.
Ewa Nikola Swoboda stands out as one of the most solid and exciting sprinters on the European athletics scene today. Born in Rybnik, in the Silesian region of Poland, on July 26, 1997, her career has been defined by record-breaking performances in the 60m and 100m sprints, an intense personality, and a professional approach that has earned her attention from both experts and general audiences alike.
Early years between gymnastics and sprint tracks
Before fully committing to athletics, Swoboda trained in artistic gymnastics. That physical foundation, paired with her naturally explosive power, convinced her coaches that sprinting was her true discipline. In 2011, at just 14, she began competing at the national level. Soon after, she made her international debut at the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships in Donetsk, Ukraine.
Competitive development and early recognition
In 2015, Ewa Swoboda became the European U20 champion in Eskilstuna, Sweden, clocking 11.52 seconds in the 100m final. That same year, she broke the European junior indoor record in the 60m with a 7.13-second run—a performance that signaled what was to come.
Her international breakthrough came in 2016 when she claimed the silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in Portland, United States. From that point on, her name became a fixture at top-tier indoor events, with consistent results that confirmed her status among Europe’s elite.
Defining seasons records and technical growth
The 2022 season marked a turning point in her career. That year, Swoboda ran the 60m in 6.99 seconds at the Polish Indoor Championships—her personal best and the fastest time in Europe that year. With that performance, she became the first Polish woman to dip below the seven-second barrier, joining a select group of female sprinters worldwide to achieve such a feat.
Later that season, she secured silver at the World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, finishing just behind Switzerland’s Mujinga Kambundji. In 2023, she went a step further by winning gold at the European Indoor Championships in Istanbul, strengthening her position as the fastest woman in Europe under the roof.
Tokyo 2020 and the COVID-19 setback
A defining and difficult moment in Swoboda’s career came ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021). Despite qualifying and arriving in excellent form, she was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. The decision drew significant attention in the Polish press, with many lamenting her absence and speculating on the circumstances.
Swoboda addressed the situation openly. Through her social media channels, she expressed her disappointment, but also extended support to her teammates and emphasized the importance of public health. Her candid and supportive stance earned respect from fellow athletes and fans alike.
Racing style and physical training
Swoboda’s sprinting is defined by her explosive start and seamless transition through the mid-phase of the race. Her work with coach Iwona Krupa has focused on enhancing her reaction time, stride frequency, and technical execution. While her dominance is most visible in indoor events, she has made notable progress outdoors, consistently posting sub-11.10s in the 100m.
Identity, style, and media presence
Off the track, Ewa Swoboda has cultivated a unique aesthetic that resonates with younger generations. Her frequently dyed hair, visible tattoos, and bold attitude have drawn both admiration and criticism. Rather than shy away from public scrutiny, she embraces her image as an extension of personal freedom. She is known for speaking openly in interviews and using her platforms to advocate for female athletes’ autonomy over their appearance and identity.
Ambitions and future goals
Now at the height of her athletic prime, Swoboda is focused on establishing herself in the outdoor 100m ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. At 27, she brings a combination of physical maturity and emotional balance, supported by a coaching team attuned to her rhythm and needs.
Competing against sprinters from the United States and Jamaica on the Olympic stage will be a significant challenge. Yet Swoboda has proven her ability to convert setbacks into momentum and performances into milestones.
A defining figure in modern European sprinting
Ewa Swoboda belongs to a generation of European athletes who fuse high performance with personal expression and social engagement. Her career path has been marked not by ease, but by adaptability, determination, and an ever-growing connection with the younger public.
With every stride she takes on the world’s tracks, Swoboda proves that speed is more than a matter of time—it is about the will to leave a lasting mark.
