Konrad Gałka (English)

Z Historia Wisły

Konrad Gałka was born on 3rd February, 1974, in Krakow. He was one of the most decorated swimmers in the history of Wisła and Polish swimming. He specialized in the butterfly stroke. He represented the colors of Biała Gwiazda from 1980 to 1997 and trained under the guidance of Włodzimierz Kękuś. He is now a swimming instructor at the TS Wisła pool.

He graduated from the School of Sports Mastery in Krakow in 1994 and attended the Krakow University School of Physical Education from 1994 to 1999. He completed an internship at Mission Viejo during the 1990/1991 season.

In 1991, at the age of 17, Konrad Gałka became the Junior European Champion in Antwerp in the 200m butterfly stroke. In the same year, he also won the Polish senior championship, a feat he repeated in 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996. Furthermore, in 1994, he was the Polish champion in the 400m freestyle, and in 1996, he won the Polish championship in the 50m butterfly stroke.

He participated in the Olympics twice, without significant success, in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996.

On September 10th, 1994, he secured 5th place at the World Championships, and on December 2nd, 1995, he earned 4th place in the Short Course World Swimming Championships.

In 1995, he became the European Vice-Champion in Vienna in his signature discipline, the 200m butterfly stroke.

According to his profile on olimpijski.pl, it is noted: "A highly talented and exceptionally physically strong athlete. Before the butterfly stroke underwater distance was limited to 15 meters, he set Polish records in the 50m by swimming the entire length of a 25-meter pool and nearly the full 50 meters underwater. He didn't always take training seriously, had issues with the Anti-Doping Commission, and was even suspended from competition rights. After a three-year break from the sport, he attempted to return to the competition, but his enthusiasm only lasted for a month."

Achievements: Olympian from Barcelona '92 and Atlanta '96 Junior European Champion in 200m butterfly stroke (1991, Antwerp). Silver medalist at the European Championships in 200m butterfly stroke (1995, Vienna). Finalist at the European Championships in 1993, Sheffield: 7th place (200m butterfly stroke). Finalist at the World Championships (50m pool) in 1994, Rome: 5th place (200m butterfly stroke). Finalist at the World Championships (25m pool) in 1995, Rio de Janeiro: 4th place (200m butterfly stroke). Polish Champion: 50m butterfly stroke (1996); 200m butterfly stroke (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996); 400m freestyle (1994).