With the appearance of the phenomenal Adam Małysz a few years ago, ski jumping gained in popularity in Poland and abroad. The best national teams participate in numerous contests in the atmosphere of fierce rivalry. More and more young and talented sportsmen join the small group of old champions. Therefore, the level of competitions seems to be growing from year to year. This belief was confirmed during the Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, during he annual Four Ski-Jumps Tournament and in the course of many other World Cup contests. Ski jumping contests attract thousands of spectators. The fans often follow their favourite competitors and show up during subsequent competitions of the World Cup. Adam Małysz, three-time winner of the main trophy, also has a great number of fans. Crowds of them appear when the contests are held in Zakopane. It is a worldwide known centre of winter sports. The first skiing competition was organized in Zakopane in 1910. The programme also included a ski jumping contest. Ever since the Nordic skiing has become one of the Zakopane’s favourite sports. Zakopane hosted the FIS world championship (3 times) and the academic world championship (3 times). A few contests for the World Cup in ski jumping were organized on the modernized Wielka Krokiew ski jump. Many sports events of different standing are organized in Zakopane every year. Szczyrk also has a ski jump that can host international events (International Memorial of Olympic Games Participants). Our champion Adam Małysz lives in Wisła, also a centre of winter sports, where he started his career. With ski jumping becoming more and more popular, Wisła will soon have a modern ski jumping facility to host high ranking sports events.
