Józef Jaworski

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJózef•Jaworski
Used nameJózef•Jaworski
Born19 October 1903 in Zgierz, Łódzkie (POL)
Died19 September 1939 in Oksywie, Gdynia, Pomorskie (POL)
AffiliationsChrobrego Piotrków Tryb./AZS Warszawa
NOC Poland

Biography

In addition to being a successful track and field athlete Józef Jaworski also worked as an architect. Jaworski was a member of the Cracow branch of the Association of Polish Architects and was the designer of a hotel in Kalatówki. In 1935 he graduated from the Warszawa University of Technology with a diploma in architectural engineering.

Jaworski began his career in athletics at high school in 1922 and quickly became the leading middle-distance runner in Poland. He was a an eight-time national champion across multiple distances (800 metres, 1,500 metres, and 4 × 400 metres relay) and broke ten national records (1,500 metres, 4 x 400 metres, and 3 x 1,000 metres relays). Jaworski ran in the 800 metres at the 1924 Paris Olympics but failed to finish in the qualification heat after he fainted. He also ran in the 1,500 metres in Paris where he finished in last place in his heat. Four years later he ran in the 1,500 metres at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, finishing in seventh place in his heat.

In July 1920 Jaworski became a member of the 33rd Łomża Infantry Regiment, eventually reaching the rank of second lieutenant. He fought in the September Campaign in 1939 where he joined the 1st Maritime Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division. Jaworski was killed in action on the last day of the Battle of Oksywie, near Gdynia, while manning coastal defences during the German invasion of Poland. In May 1980 a primary school in the town of Aleksandrów Łódzki was named after him.

Personal Best: 1500 – 4:06.4 (1928).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1924 Summer Olympics Athletics POL Józef Jaworski
800 metres, Men (Olympic) AC h4 r1/3
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 8 h3 r1/2
4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) Poland DNS
3,000 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) Poland DNS
1928 Summer Olympics Athletics POL Józef Jaworski
1,500 metres, Men (Olympic) 7 h1 r1/2

Special Notes