Outcry after series cancelled at the Olympics — they name the hero: Maciej Maciusiak

Kacper Tomasiak and Paweł Wąsek won the silver medal at the Olympic team large hill event in Predazzo. The contest was stopped late in the third round — after Tomasiak delivered a surprisingly short jump in extremely difficult wind and weather. During and after the event journalists and experts harshly commented on the Olympic competition and praised Maciej Maciusiak for the decision to pause the team’s World Cup program just before the Olympics.

After the first round Tomasiak and Wąsek were in third place. After the second round the Polish pair had moved up to second. In the third round Wąsek did not deliver a strong jump and Tomasiak had to fight for a medal. Ultimately the final round was cancelled after Tomasiak's jump in very challenging conditions. The competition and the jury's decisions provoked strong reactions from media and experts.

Comments and reactions

“Ultimately you have to give credit where it’s due. Maciej Maciusiak made the right move by withdrawing the Olympic squad from the World Cup and prepared them excellently for the Games. He is one of the fathers of this success,” wrote Karol Tyniec (iGol.pl) on X.

Dominik Stachowiak (Sport.pl) added: “The best thing is that listening to Kacper Tomasiak you can tell he has his head straight — he won’t be changed by these great successes. Boy, keep flying for your dreams. For yourself and for all of us!”

Eurosport commentator Michał Korościel reacted enthusiastically: “Ski jumping — Bloody Hell. Sandro, you beast, I love you.”

Other voices were sharper. An account calling itself “inSJders” wrote: “Is there anyone left defending that body called the jury? Today’s was an Olympic embarrassment for those men. They deserve a gold medal — but in stupidity.”

Dominik Formela (SkiJumping.pl) reported that the German team booed in Predazzo, and accused the jury of first giving the green light to Tomasiak and then correcting course.

Piotr Majchrzak, communications manager at the Polish Ski Association (PZN), defended the jury’s final call: “The only correct decision by the jury. It was one step away from a major scandal. Poland with a silver medal!”

Context and aftermath

The article highlights how the jury’s handling of the extreme conditions and the cancellation of the concluding series became the main talking point after Poland’s podium result. Many commentators singled out Maciej Maciusiak for praise — both for the team’s preparation and for decisions made in the run-up to the Olympics. The piece collects reactions from Polish and international media, coaches and experts, noting that opinions range from high praise for Maciusiak to sharp criticism of the event jury.

Credits

Photo: Grzegorz Momot / PAP (image of Kacper Tomasiak and Paweł Wąsek)

Author: Jan Juszczuk Date: 16 February 2026