Witold Bańka


Witold Bańka is a Polish former 400 metres sprinter turned politician. Since November 2015, he has been the Minister of Sport and Tourism in the cabinet of Beata Szydło and cabinet of Mateusz Morawiecki. In May 2019, he was elected President of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

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.

Competition record

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

Personal bests

Outdoor
Indoor
In 2018 he became a candidate for the chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Poland’s sport minister Witold Banka has been chosen as Europe’s candidate to become the next head of the World Anti-Doping Agency. In May 2019 Bańka was elected as WADA's fourth president, commencing his four-year term on 1 January 2020.