The European Games Kraków-Małopolska 2023 Flame of Peace will be paraded at the PGE Narodowy Stadium during The Korzeniowski Warsaw Race Walking Cup as excitement continues to build for this summer’s Games in Poland.

Taking place on Sunday 23 April and organised by four-time Olympic race-walking gold medallist Robert Korzeniowski, the event day will begin with a 1km walk for Ukraine as Poland continues to show solidarity with Ukrainians following the Russian invasion in 2022.

The Flame of Peace will be taken on a loop of the national stadium with the European Games promoted throughout proceedings, with 250 professional athletes scheduled to take part alongside the best young Polish race-walkers and an amateur walk for family and friends in attendance.

Kraków-Małopolska 2023 President Marcin Nowak said: “We are delighted that the Flame of Peace will parade at an event that encourages inclusion ahead of the European Games 2023, which has the motto: ‘We Are Unity’.

“We want all of Poland to be inspired by the sports on show between 21 June and 2 July and I must thank our friend Robert Korzeniowski for his help in promoting the European Games. I am sure that The Korzeniowski Warsaw Race Walking Cup will once again be a great success.”

The Race Walking Cup is part of the World Athletics Walking Tour and will be the final event of the day with 20km races for both the elite men and women. Polish athlete Katarzyna Zdziebło enjoyed a phenomenal 2022 with strong performances in Eugene and Munich and will compete in Warsaw.

Following the Walk for Ukraine, age groups between U10 and U18 will compete in 1km, 2km, 3km and 5km races. The U20 men and women and the Masters (35+) event will also take place over 10km.

This will be followed by the amateur 5km Walking Lovers family and friends event, which is being held to encourage activity for the whole family and social and generational integration.

Robert Korzeniowski said: “It is an honour to have the European Games Flame of Peace in Warsaw as part of our event. I was at the stunning lighting ceremony in Rome earlier this month and know that the Flame is the perfect symbol for this event, which encourages unity and inclusion in our society.

“The European Games this summer is the largest multi-sport event held in Poland and I know that it will play a large role in inspiring the next generation of Polish champions.”

The European Games

The third edition of the European Games will take place between 21 June and 2 July 2023. There will competitions in 26 sports during the games with 18 sports featuring events that are part of the Olympic qualification system for Paris 2024.  More than 7,000 athletes from 48 National Olympic Committees are expected to take part. Kraków will be the main hub of the Games with 11 different towns and cities hosting sports in a variety of different venues.