Jan Józwik

Regarded as one of the best Polish speed skaters of all time, Jan Józwik was a ten-time national champion and set more than a dozen national records. Józwik began his sports career in 1963 where he spent many years at the Pilica Tomaszów Mazowiecki club. By the mid-1970s he represented SN PTT Zakopane where he won all his Polish titles, with six in the 500 metres (1976, 1978–82), three in the 1,000 metres (1978–80), and one in the 1,500 metres (1981). He set no fewer than 18 national records, with his time of 37.50 seconds in the 500 metres in 1979 standing for 17 years. Józwik competed in the 500 metres and the 1,000 metres at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics, finishing 9th and 13th, respectively. He was forced to retire from the sport three years later due to an issue with his spine.

Personal Bests: 500 – 37.5 (1979); 1000 – 1:16.3 (1979); 1500 – 1:59.5 (1978); 5000 – 8:52.06 (1976).