Elwira Seroczyńska

Who was Elwira Seroczyńska?

Elwira Seroczyńska was a Polish speed skater.

Seroczyńska was born as Elwira Potapowicz in Wilno, Poland. A graduate of the State Administrative and Economic School in Elbląg, she and became Polish Allround Champion for the first time in 1952. She would eventually become Polish Allround Champion a total of five times, last in 1963. Apart from her allround titles she won 17 distance titles and established 16 official Polish distance records and one combination record. Curiously several combinations skated at Polish championships were never recognised as being a Polish record due to the combination of distances skated. During her skating career she was member of Stal Elbląg, FSO-Stal Warszawa and Sarmata Warszawa. At the 1960 Winter Olympics, she won a silver medal on the 1,500 m. At the 1962 World Championships in Imatra, she won a Gold Medal on the 500m. After her skating career she studied at the Warsaw Academy of Physical Education, where she received a master's degree and became trainer of the Polish skating team. She died in London, United Kingdom at the age of 73.