Biography
General Interest
Nicknames
Darek (Athlete, 27 Sep 2005)
Hobbies
Polish history, history of religion, rap music, travelling. (dariuszpopiela.pl, 01 May 2016)
Most influential person in career
His parents, uncle, physiologists Jerzy Zoladz and Jan Blecharz and one of his coaches, Antoni Kurcz. (dariuszpopiela.pl, 01 May 2016)
Hero / Idol
Italian slalom paddler Pierpaolo Ferrazzi, British slalom paddler Richard Fox, United States of America basketball player Michael Jordan, Polish kickboxer Marek Piotrowski, Polish race walker Robert Korzeniowski. (dariuszpopiela.pl, 01 May 2016)
Famous relatives
His father Boguslaw and uncle Henryk represented Poland in canoe slalom. Henryk Popiela won a medal at the 1977 World Championships. (dariuszpopiela.pl, 01 May 2016; eurosport.onet.pl, 21 Sep 2015)
Other information
ONLY POLAND
From 1997 until 2002 he competed for Austrian clubs and was even an Austrian champion in junior and U18 categories. However, he didn't decide to represent Austria at international events. "At the end of 2002 I had to decide which country I want to represent. I received an offer to represent Austria, but I am a patriot and I have always wanted to represent Poland. In 2003 I decided to fight to be in national team of Poland." (eurosport.onet.pl, 21 Sep 2015)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
He is a co-founder of the website 'LAD', which aims to fight stereotypes, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism through promotion of historical knowledge. (lad.info.pl, 04 Sep 2015)
MUSIC CAREER
He is passionate about rap music. His stage name is Darek-Daro and he has recorded album with Gie Precedens "Azyl". "My story with music started when I was not nominated for the national team for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. I wrote some lyrics but I used to lock it in the drawer, but then I had more time to do it. I recorded some albums with Grzegorz Czerpak and we even had few concerts, but later I had to totally focus on sport." (dariuszpopiela.pl, 01 May 2016; eurosport.onet.pl, 21 Sep 2015)
From 1997 until 2002 he competed for Austrian clubs and was even an Austrian champion in junior and U18 categories. However, he didn't decide to represent Austria at international events. "At the end of 2002 I had to decide which country I want to represent. I received an offer to represent Austria, but I am a patriot and I have always wanted to represent Poland. In 2003 I decided to fight to be in national team of Poland." (eurosport.onet.pl, 21 Sep 2015)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
He is a co-founder of the website 'LAD', which aims to fight stereotypes, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism through promotion of historical knowledge. (lad.info.pl, 04 Sep 2015)
MUSIC CAREER
He is passionate about rap music. His stage name is Darek-Daro and he has recorded album with Gie Precedens "Azyl". "My story with music started when I was not nominated for the national team for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. I wrote some lyrics but I used to lock it in the drawer, but then I had more time to do it. I recorded some albums with Grzegorz Czerpak and we even had few concerts, but later I had to totally focus on sport." (dariuszpopiela.pl, 01 May 2016; eurosport.onet.pl, 21 Sep 2015)
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He began paddling in 1992 at a slalom training camp in Nowy Sacz, Poland.
Why this sport?
His father and uncle were paddlers and Popiela wanted to continue the tradition.
Club / Team
KS Spojnia Warszawa: Poland
Name of coach
Boguslaw Popiel [father], POL; Henryk Popiel [uncle], POL
Further Personal Information
Date of birth
27 July 1985
Height
170 cm
Weight
67 kg
Residence
Nowy Sacz, POL
Occupation
Athlete, Student
Languages
English, Polish
Higher education
Law - Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski University: Kraków, POL
