Andrzej Marusarz

Andrzej Marusarz was a Polish skier, ski jumper, and soldier who competed in two Winter Olympics prior to World War II. From an early age Marusarz was trained by his father as a mountaineer, guide, and mountain rescuer. Marusarz was a two-time Polish champion, first in ski jumping in 1938, and in Nordic combined in 1939.

At the 1932 Lake Placid Olympics Marusarz finished in 19th place in the Nordic combined and in 22nd place in the ski jump. Marusarz was also scheduled to take part in the 18 kilometres cross-country but he did not start the race. Four years later at the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics Marusarz again competed in the Nordic combined and the ski jump. He improved on his 1932 result in the ski jump by one place to finish in 21st, but finished 32nd in the Nordic combined.

During World War II Marusarz fought with the Allies in the North African campaign in 1943. Marusarz also fought in Sicily and Italy in 1943, and he was part of Operation Overlord in Normandy in 1944. During the Battle of the Atlantic Marusarz saved himself on two occasions from torpedoed ships. After the war Marusarz returned to Poland, working as a sailor in the summer and a sports coach in the winter. He was a Distinguished Master of Sport and was decorated with the Golden Cross of Merit.