Józef Szmidt, the first man to surpass the 17-meter barrier in the triple jump, has passed away at the age of 89. Szmidt, a two-time Olympic champion, made history on August 5, 1960, by breaking the world record with a jump of 17.03 meters at the Stadion Leśny in Olsztyn, Poland. This feat, achieved in his first attempt, surpassed the previous record held by Russia’s Oleg Fedoseyev by 33 centimeters.
Szmidt’s athletic prowess earned him the nickname “Polish Kangaroo.” His groundbreaking jump was a moment of triumph, with judges taking half an hour to verify the distance. The joy and excitement following the confirmation were palpable, with teammates, coaches, and even judges celebrating by lifting Szmidt in the air.
Born on March 28, 1935, in Miechowice, Silesia, Szmidt initially followed in his older brother Edward’s footsteps, aspiring to be a sprinter. However, he found his true calling in the triple jump under the guidance of esteemed coach Tadeusz Starzyński.
Szmidt was already a notable athlete when he set the world record. In 1958, he won the European Championship in Stockholm with a jump of 16.43 meters, setting both a Polish and a European Championship record. His success continued at the 1960 Rome Olympics, where he won gold with an Olympic record of 16.81 meters.
Despite a significant knee surgery just months before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Szmidt’s determination saw him not only compete but win another gold medal with a jump of 16.85 meters, setting another Olympic record.
In Poland, Szmidt’s achievements sparked national euphoria. He received the Order of the Banner of Work from Prime Minister Józef Cyrankiewicz, a high honor recognizing his contributions to sport.
In his later years, Szmidt lived a quiet life away from the limelight in the village of Zagozd near Drawsko Pomorskie. After returning from emigration in Germany, he bought a farm and raised goats. A few years ago, he was honored as an honorary citizen of Olsztyn, the city where he made his historic jump.