Marian Orlewicz

Marian Orlewicz was a Polish skier and PE teacher. Orlewicz graduated from the Physical Education College at Jagiellonian University. He obtained a master’s degree in physical education in 1946. Orlewicz was a multiple national champion in cross-country skiing, winning the 18 kilometres in 1939 and winning in the 5 × 10 kilometres relay from 1946–48.

Orlewicz competed in three events at the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics. In the cross-country skiing Orlewicz was part of the Polish team that finished in seventh place in the 4 × 10 kilometres relay. He also finished in 32nd place in the 18 kilometres. Orlewicz finished in 24th place in the Nordic combined.

During World War II Orlewicz joined the Polish resistance. As a member of TOPR, the Polish mountain rescue organisation, Orlewicz was part of an expedition to help wounded partisans. Once the war was over Orlewicz helped to revive skiing in Poland. Orlewicz worked as an instructor and trainer. He prepared athletes for five Winter Olympics from the 1948 St. Moritz Olympics to the 1964 Innsbruck Olympics.

Orlewicz was the chairman of the PZN Council of Coaches. Orlewicz wrote multiple articles on skiing theory and practice for sporting periodicals. He also worked as a judge at national and international FIS competitions. Orlewicz was awarded with the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta and the Golden Cross of Merit.