Gerard Mach

Gerard Mach was a 400 metre runner who competed at the 1954 and 1958 European Championships for Poland. He competed three times at the World University Games, winning four medals, with a bronze medal in the medley relay in 1949, another bronze in the 4x400 in 1951, and at Budapest in 1954, he added silvers in the open 400 metres and the 4x400 relay. Mach won 20 Polish titles, with two individual victories in the 200 metres in 1952 and 1956, and seven 400 metre championships in 1948-49, 1951-54, and 1958.

A graduate of the Warszawa School of Economics and Physical Education, Mach began a coaching career in Poland, but in 1972 moved to Canada and became one of the first professional athletics coaches there, living out his life in Canada. He was the head coach of the 1976 Canadian Olympic team, and in 2011 was inducted into Athletics Canada Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 200 – 21.4 (1957); 400 – 47.5 (1958).