Luiza Zlotkowska

Injuries	In 2011 she underwent surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] in her right knee, which sidelined her for six months. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2017) She suffered a knee injury in 2008 that saw her miss two months of skating. (Athlete, 06 Feb 2010) In 2000 she lost two of her teeth in a crash. (Athlete, 06 Feb 2010)
Memorable sporting achievement	Winning a medal in the team pursuit at the Olympic Winter Games in 2010 [bronze] and 2014 [silver]. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2017; Facebook page, 13 Dec 2015)

Reason for choosing this sport	Her teacher Krzysztof Filipiak suggested she take up the sport. "I skated a lot on figure skates with my grandfather, so when I got long track skates I was the best of the children in my class."
When and where did you begin this sport?	She took up the sport while at primary school in 1998 in Milanowek, Poland.

Nicknames	Lui, Ping Pong (Athlete, 06 Feb 2010)
Sporting philosophy / motto	"Give it 100% or don't do it at all." (Athlete, 27 Jan 2017) "No limits, no boundaries." (Athlete, 13 Nov 2017)
Most influential person in career	Coaches Marek Pandyra, Ewa Bialkowska and Witold Mazur. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2017)

www.luizazlotkowska.com/
www.facebook.com/luiza.zlotkowska

Hero / Idol	Canadian cyclist and speed skater Clara Hughes. (Athlete, 13 Nov 2017)
Other information	RETIREMENT In February 2020 she announced her retirement from the sport exactly 10 years after she won team pursuit bronze at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. "February 27 is a special date for me. 10 years ago I won my first Olympic medal. Today, a decade later, the time has come to say, 'the end!' The end of my sports career, the end of racing on skates. I spent 24 years on the rink, it was a great time. My dream to go to the Olympics has come true three times [2010, 2014 and 2018]. I made my sports dreams come true, now it's time for other dreams." (sportowefakty.wp.pl, 27 Feb 2020) OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2013 she began working as an athlete representative on the Polish Olympic Committee [PKOI] and the European Olympic Committee [EOC]. In February 2017 she was elected as the speed skating representative on the International Skating Union [ISU] Athletes' Commission. (isu.org, 10 Feb 2017; Facebook page, 13 Dec 2015)
Hobbies	Pole dancing, tennis, cycling, watching movies, reading books, cooking. (pzls.pl, 2017)