In 2024, IShowSpeed claimed he could beat Swoboda in a race. Swoboda, who earlier this month won silver in 100 meters at the European Athletics Championships, was responding to an earlier challenge from the global internet influencer who said he could beat her in a race. Talking to Polish broadcaster TVP Sport on Thursday, the sprinting champ said: “I’m not going to clown around. It’s not my vibe. I treat running as a serious matter. So why should I race someone who barks at people?” With about 175 million followers across social media platforms, IShowSpeed has gained a wide following for his eccentric stunts, including barking at people he encounters in public. Internet challenge In 2024, the YouTuber whose real name is Darren Watkins Jr claimed he could beat Swoboda after watching a video of the 29-year-old in action. Declaring that “nobody in the world” could beat him, he said: “I am very serious. There has never been a moment in my life when I was surpassed. That is why people call me Speed.” The clip quickly went viral and eventually reached Swoboda, who said that if the YouTuber came to Poland, she would race him. The race, however, never took place, despite several possible dates being floated in the media.
