A hundred years of ambition and dreams reaching beyond the horizon. Over the course of a century, Gdynia has built an established brand, also in the field of sport. Athletes, bound with Gdynia by fate, have repeatedly shown that perseverance, hard work and determination bring results in the form of gold, silver and bronze, as well as countless cups, statuettes, diplomas and other awards for outstanding achievements on the international arena. Thay is why during the 27th Gala of Gdynia's Sport, a unique moment happened – five outstanding athletes, whose fame sailed far beyond the Baltic Sea, received the title of ‘Athlete of the Century’.
The ‘Athletes of the Century’ are:
Jerzy Greszkiewicz
One of the most outstanding Polish sports shooters, who went down in history as an Olympian and a medallist. His greatest success happened at the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976, where he won a bronze medal in the competition of a small-calibre rifle for a moving target with the silhouette of a "running wild boar", at a distance of 50 metres. His performance only confirmed that he belongs to the leaders in this specialist competition. Participation in the Olympic Games was the culmination of a long-term, consistent sports career, when for years he represented Poland at the most important international events, building his position as one of the most successful athletes in the history of Polish shooting.
Władysław Kozakiewicz
Władysław Kozakiewicz is a character who does not need to be introduced even to those who know little about athletics. An Olympic gold medal in a pole vault in Moscow in 1980, a world record, and one of the most recognisable gestures in the history of sport – this is a combo that is hard to top. Although he was not a native of Gdynia, his presence in the Pomeranian sports environment and influence on subsequent generations made him an important figure for Gdynia and the entire Polish Coast. His story shows that sport is not only centimetres and seconds, but also character – something that Kozakiewicz definitely had enough to break the world record in the Olympic Games.
Janusz Kupcewicz
Although he did not win an Olympic medal, Janusz Kupcewicz undoubtedly belongs to the pantheon of athletes of the century. The bronze medal of the 1982 World Cup and the legendary goal in the match for third place, made him a permanent part of the history of Polish football. He was extremely strongly associated with Gdynia – as a footballer, coach and ambassador of Arka Gdynia. For many fans, he was and still remains a symbol of the golden times of football in Gdynia. If anyone has ever proven that football can be a city-wide affair, it is him.
Tadeusz Mytnik
Tadeusz Mytnik is an example of an athlete who perfectly understood that in track cycling, it is not only the strength of the legs that counts, but also the strength of the team. Olympic runner-up from Montreal in 1976 in a team time race, multiple medallist of the world championship – for years he belonged to the world elite. Representing the colours of the Bałtyk Gdynia club, he became one of the most successful athletes in the history of the city. To this day, his Olympic silver remains one of the most valuable medals in Gdynia's collection – not won with a sprint, but with a consequence and perfect cooperation.
Anna Rogowska
She is a symbol of modern, female athletics, and a proof that Gdynia can reach really high – sometimes more than five metres. The Olympic bronze medallist from Athens in 2004, a multiple medallist of the World and European Championships, and a record holder of Poland for over a decade, she belonged to the absolute world leaders. Born in Gdynia, from the beginning of her career she was strongly associated with the city, and her Olympic medal is one of the brightest moments in the history of local sport. If anyone could symbolically "vault over" the sports Gdynia's centenary, it would be her – with elegance, class and perfect technique.
Main image: Gdynia Sport Center