Witold Bańka

Witold Bańka
Minister of Sport and Tourism
Incumbent
Assumed office November 12, 2015
President	Andrzej Duda
Prime Minister	Beata Szydło
Preceded by	Adam Korol
Personal details
Born	October 3, 1984 Tychy, Poland
Political party	none
Alma mater	University of Silesia in Katowice
Profession	Sprinter Political scientist

Witold Bańka (born October 3, 1984) is a Polish former 400 metres sprinter^[1] turned politician. Since November 2015, he has been the Minister of Sport and Tourism in the cabinet of Beata Szydło.

Athletic career

Bańka's biggest achievement as an athlete was the bronze medal in the 4 × 400 metres relay at the 2007 World Championships although he only competed in the heats. He also won several relay medals at lower level competitions. He retired from professional sport in 2012 having failed to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics.^[2]

Competition record

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Poland
2005	European U23 Championships	Erfurt, Germany	1st	4x400 m relay	3:04.41
2007	Universiade	Bangkok, Thailand	1st	4x400 m relay	3:02.05
	World Championships	Osaka, Japan	7th (h)	4x400 m relay	3:02.39^1
2009	Universiade	Belgrade, Serbia	2nd	4x400 m relay	3:05.69

¹He was not selected for the final where the Polish team finished third but also received a bronze medal.

Personal bests

Outdoor

• 200 metres – 21.83 (+1.5 m/s, Bielsko-Biała 2006)
• 400 metres – 46.11 (Osaka 2007)

Indoor

• 400 metres – 48.87 (Spała 2009)

References

1. Witold Bańka profile at IAAF
2. "Niespełniony biegacz ministrem sportu. Kim jest Witold Bańka?" (in Polish). eurosport.onet.pl. 2015-11-09. Retrieved 2016-01-18.

External links

• Government composition
• All-Athletics profile