The 41-year-old replaces Rafał Tataruch, who was ineligible to seek another term under Poland's term-limit rules.
Niedźwiedzki, who previously served as sports director of the federation, won 57 votes at its general assembly in Warsaw on Saturday, defeating fellow Olympic medalist Natalia Czerwonka, who received 14 votes.
“I received a strong mandate and a great deal of trust from the delegates and the entire community, and I am very grateful for that,” Niedźwiedzki said after the vote. “Elections always come with emotions, like sports competition, so the outcome was not certain until the end.”
He said the decisive victory provides "a solid foundation to continue the work carried out over the past eight years" and to take the organization forward.
“My campaign slogan was ‘the next step,’ meaning we are not starting from scratch but building on what has already been achieved,” he said. "Today, we are in a good place—we have results, an efficient system and strong people. Now our task is to develop and strengthen it further.”
Niedźwiedzki also pledged to continue efforts to expand speed skating infrastructure in Poland.
“In the near future, I plan to hold meetings on key projects ... We have strong clubs, but athletes often have to train abroad,” he said.
The newly elected board includes former speed skater Zbigniew Bródka, the Olympic champion in the men's 1,500 metres at the 2014 Sochi Games.
(gs)
Source: IAR, PAP