Olympic Gold Medalist. She placed first in the discus throw during the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games, which made her the first woman to receive a Gold Medal in an Olympic track and field event. At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, women were allowed to compete in athletic events for the first time. She was a well-educated woman, speaking three foreign languages fluently. Her dark coloring came from her Mongolian ancestry. As early as 1929, she published her first book of poetry called "Some Day." Later in life, she became an author and moved to the United States after World War II. In late 1928, she was married to Polish diplomat Ignacy Matuszewski. After her first husband's sudden death, she married twice more and became a widow each time. In 1989 she was honored by the Polish government when she received the "Silver Cross of Merit." Her remains were repatriated to Poland to be buried with her family.
Olympic Gold Medalist. She placed first in the discus throw during the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic Games, which made her the first woman to receive a Gold Medal in an Olympic track and field event. At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, women were allowed to compete in athletic events for the first time. She was a well-educated woman, speaking three foreign languages fluently. Her dark coloring came from her Mongolian ancestry. As early as 1929, she published her first book of poetry called "Some Day." Later in life, she became an author and moved to the United States after World War II. In late 1928, she was married to Polish diplomat Ignacy Matuszewski. After her first husband's sudden death, she married twice more and became a widow each time. In 1989 she was honored by the Polish government when she received the "Silver Cross of Merit." Her remains were repatriated to Poland to be buried with her family.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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