Polish Ski Jumper, 19, Brings Olympic Medals to Mass

Most Olympic athletes celebrate their wins with parties or press conferences, but 19-year-old Kacper Tomasiak had something else in mind. The Polish ski jumper brought his medals to daily Mass at the Olympic Village in Italy to thank God.

Tomasiak made history at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games as the first Polish ski jumper to win three medals at a single Olympics. He earned silver in the normal hill on February 9, bronze in the individual large hill on February 14, and another silver in the super team event on February 16.

Between his second and third victories, Tomasiak attended noon Mass at the Olympic Village in Predazzo, Italy. Father Edward Pleń, the athlete chaplain for the Polish Episcopal Conference, celebrates daily Mass there for competitors.

The young athlete didn't just attend the service. He brought both medals with him, served as the lector, and wanted to publicly thank God for his success.

"That was the first time I met him," Father Pleń told Fakt, a Polish news outlet. "We chatted, and I was captivated by this young man. He only speaks as much as necessary."

Just hours after that Mass, Tomasiak competed again and won his third medal. His quiet faith and humility stood out in a sports world often focused on individual glory.

Why This Inspires

In an age where athletes often credit only their training and talent, Tomasiak's public gratitude offers a refreshing perspective. His decision to pause between competitions to express thanks shows maturity beyond his years.

Social media users responded warmly to photos of the athlete with Father Pleń. "A beautiful testimony of faith," one person commented. "Congratulations." Another wrote, "Please thank Kacper for his valuable testimony of faith. It's especially important for the younger generation."

His witness resonated particularly with young people who rarely see elite athletes openly express their faith. One commenter noted, "If you approach success in this way, God will allow you to achieve many more successes."

The teenager's actions remind us that acknowledging something greater than ourselves doesn't diminish our achievements—it enriches them.