Hosts Poland got their European Games 2023 campaign off to a flying start, securing a first gold medal just hours after the Opening Ceremony with a stunning victory in the Women’s Kayak Four 500m Final in Kraków.

Reigning World Champions Karolina Naja, Dominika Putto, Adrianna Kakol and Anna Pulawska finished first with a time of 1:31.701, much to the delight of the Polish fans in attendance at the Kryspinow Waterway.

Polish canoeing star Pulawska won the bronze medal at Minsk 2019 and was delighted to add a gold to her European Games collection as they saw off competition from Germany and Denmark in the final.

Pulawska said: “This is the first gold medal. I already have a bronze medal from Minsk, now we have added the first gold medal, so we are very happy and looking forward to the next finals.  

“We were really in the race from start to finish and we wereready for the moment. We are very happy. It gives us such a positive energy for the upcoming competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympic qualification.”

Double gold for Ukraine

The hosts’ first gold of the Games came shortly after a double success for neighbouring Ukraine on the water. Ukraine is represented at the European Games Kraków-Malopolska 2023 by a record delegation of almost 200 athletes, who received a warm ovation from more than 20,000 fans at yesterday’s Opening Ceremony at the Henryk Reyman Stadium in Kraków.

Today’s competition saw two-time Ukrainian Olympic medallist Liudmyla Luzan and teammate Valeriia Tereta finish narrowly ahead of the Spanish pair in the Women’s Canoe Double 500m race, before Oleh Kukharyk and Ihor Trunovfollowed in their footsteps shortly after with victory in the Men’s Kayak Double 500m final.

After winning her country’s first gold, Luzan explained her delight at winning gold for her country during an emotional Games.

Luzan said: “We are very happy that in such a difficult time, when the war is going on in Ukraine, we achieved such a highresult. It is very important to show that we, Ukrainians, are astrong nation and we are fighting for freedom and victory.

“From the very beginning of the event, we were at our own pace, we did not force it. Together with Valeria, this is the first start for us and our coach constantly cheers us up and encourages us. That is why we have a great team – we are united and motivated.

“Next, we plan to fight for an Olympic qualification for Paris-2024. We want to win it at the World Championship in August, we will prepare for this and hope that everything will work out.”

Paris 2024 places secured

A busy first full day of action also saw the first qualification spots awarded for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Shooting.

İsmail Keleş’ victory for Turkey in the men’s 10m Air Pistol event means that his country is assured of a spot next summer, while Klaudia Bres’ victory in the women’s 10m Air Pistol final gave hosts Poland another gold medal and alsoguaranteed the Polish National Olympic Committee a place in Paris. Shooting is one of 10 sports in which qualifying places for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 are on offer in Poland in the coming days.

First ever medals in Beach Handball

Meanwhile, later today, the first-ever European Games medals in Beach Handball will be awarded following the conclusion of the gold medal games at the Beach Sports Centre in Tarnow.

Spain will face Hungary in the men’s final at 8.30pm CET following their victories over Denmark and Portugal in this morning’s semi-finals. The women’s final begins an hour later at 9.30pm CET with Spain again in the final after beating Norway 2-0 in their semi-final, which was also the score as Denmark beat Germany to book their spot in the gold medal match.

Beach Handball is one of eight new sports on the programme of the European Games Kraków-Malopolska 2023.