During the 1970s and 1980s Polish volleyball player Robert Malinowski represented several clubs including Hutnik Kraków, Gwardia Warszawa, and Legia Warszawa. With the latter club Malinowski won three Polish titles (1983, 1984, 1986), and two PZPS Cups (1984, 1986). He was called up to the national team as a junior player where he won bronze at the 1975 European Championships. From 1979 to 1981 he made 68 appearances for the senior team, which saw him win silver at the European Championships in 1979 and 1981. Malinowski was also part of the Polish team that finished fourth at the 1980 Moskva Olympics.