Poland at the Olympics
Poland made its first appearance at the Summer Olympic Games in 1924 and has sent a delegation from then on save it for the 1984 edition of the games when it sided with the Soviet-spearheaded boycott. The nation has also taken part in all editions of the Winter Olympic Games.
Poland is among the most successful countries in the world as far as medal haul in both the Summer and Winter Olympics are concerned. The country so far amassed a hefty medal haul of 66 bronzes, 84 silvers and 131 bronzes in the Summer Olympics to rank 19th in the world. It collected six gold medals, 7 silvers and 7 bronzes in the Winter Olympics to rank 23rd in the world.
Athletics proves to be the number one source of gold medals for Poland. Of the nations who who have never been a host of the Olympics, Poland is the third most successful medal performer after Hungary and Romania.
The four most prolific athletes from Poland are distance walker Robert Korzeniowski (1996 to 2004, 4 gold), sprinter Irena Swewinska (1964 to 1976, 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze), foil fencer Witold Woyda (1964 to 1972, 2 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze), and shooter Renata Mauer (1992 to 2004, 1 gold and 1 bronze).
Trivia
- The first woman to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field was Poland's Halina Konopacka, when she broke her own world record with a throw of 39.62 metres to win the discus at Amsterdam 1928.
- Polish athlete Stanisława Walasiewicz (also known as Stella Walsh), won gold in the women's 100 m at the 1932 Summer Olympics in LA, and silver in the 100 m at the 1936 Olympics. After she was shot dead during an armed robbery in 1980, the subsequent autopsy revealed she possessed male body parts, although she also had female characteristics as well.
Related Pages
- Poland at the Winter Olympics
- List of all countries that have participated at the Olympic Games.
- About sport in Poland
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