Mieczysław Rutyna

A graduate of the University of Agriculture in Wrocław, Mieczysław Rutyna’s lone medal at the Polish national championships was bronze in the 20 kilometer walk in 1957, having taken up race walking in 1946. It was only after he moved to the United States in 1959 that he was selected to represent his home nation by the Polish Olympic Committee, who sent him to the 1964 Tokyo Games, where he placed 26th in the 20 kilometers and was disqualified in the 50 kilometers. Four years later, he returned to the Olympics in Mexico City, again coming in 26th over 20 kilometers, while finishing 22nd in the 50 kilometers.

Rutyna retired from active competition in 1973, after he was not selected for the 1972 Munich Olympics despite meeting the qualifying standard. In 1989, however, he began competing at the masters’ level and over the course of this stage of his career won 24 medals, including nine golds. He also set 14 Polish records at various age groups into his 90s.

Personal Bests: 20kmW – 1-34:51 (1968); 50kmW – 4-17:01 (1972).